Acknowledgments; Contents; About the Author; Introduction; 1 A Conscious Life; Abstract; Conscious and Unconscious Processes; Should We Aim for Reason or Happiness?; 2 The Brain-Your Personal Necktop Computer; Abstract; The Anatomy of the Most Complex Object; Neuron Style Talking; The Concept of Brain Modules; Brain Versus Computer; 3 The Evolution of Nervous Systems; Abstract; Why Nervous Systems?; Further Improvements; On Bees and Octopuses; What Is Intelligent Behaviour?; 4 Conscious Brains; Abstract; A Common Currency; Hence Consciousness; When Did It All Start?

Signs of Consciousness in AnimalsWhen Is It Needed?; Has It Been a Success?; How We Became What We Are; The Human Case; I Think, Therefore I Am?; 5 The Neurobiological Correlate; Abstract; Cortex and Thalamus; Integrated Information; What We Can Do Without; We Learn When Something Goes Wrong; The Bigger the Better?; The Hardest Problem; 6 States and Disorders of Consciousness; Abstract; Sleep; Anaesthesia; Life History; Maladies Affecting the Mind; Wilfully Altered States; 7 Quality of Life; Abstract; Hedonia and Eudaimonia; The Mood Modules; On or Off; Mental Disorders; Darwinian Happiness

8 Environmental ConcernsAbstract; Childhood and Life Situation; The Damage Due to Discords; The Achilles Heel; 9 Mental Exercise; Abstract; Use Your Head; The Psychological Challenge; Meditative Techniques; Technical Tools; Habits-For Good and Bad; A Model of the Mind; 10 In the Future; Abstract; The Main Challenge; Next Generation Gym; A Final Word