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The Map and the Territory pp 441–454Cite as

The Invention of Consciousness

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Abstract

In English we use the word “invention” in two ways. First, to mean a new device or process developed by experimentation, and designed to fulfill a practical goal. Second, to mean a mental fabrication, especially a falsehood, designed to please or persuade. In this paper I argue that human consciousness is an invention in both respects. First, it is a cognitive faculty, evolved by natural selection, designed to help us make sense of ourselves and our surroundings. But then, second, it is a fantasy, conjured up by the brain, designed to change the value we place on our existence.

Published in Topoi, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11245-017-9498-0. Based on the “Mind and Brain Prize” lecture, Turin, 2015.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Darwin College, Cambridge, UK

    Nicholas Humphrey

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  1. Nicholas Humphrey
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Correspondence to Nicholas Humphrey .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. R. N. Podar School, Mumbai, India

    Shyam Wuppuluri

  2. Advanced Studies Research Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Francisco Antonio Doria

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Humphrey, N. (2018). The Invention of Consciousness. In: Wuppuluri, S., Doria, F. (eds) The Map and the Territory. The Frontiers Collection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72478-2_25

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