Looking for good books on philosophical study of human consciousness.

summeryclept

I'm heading to Barnes & Noble next week, looking to pick up a book or two. I'm wanting to find something on human consciousness, particularly (but not exclusively) the philosophy thereof. How existence is formed, the mind, being and understanding, what it is to be human, what it is to be conscious, etc. I have a particular fondness for existentialism, if that helps guide recommendations in any way.

Please and thanks!

permapensive

I have heard good things about Daniel Dennett's Consciousness Explained although I can't personally vouch for it.

Dr Mario Kart

The Meme Machine, by Susan Blackmore. Doesnt get philosophical until toward the end but its all about the self and consciousness. Sets the stage with a lot of meme and nature of ideas stuff. She gives some props to Dennett also. Prepare for an evolutionary perspective. Super easy to read, not like a Dawkins book.

AyeJaye

William James' Principles of Psychology could be up your alley, though it's a long book and written in the 19th century. It's contemporary with the division of psychology from philosophy, and the outset of the former being practiced as an empirical science (the science of describing the human mind, consciousness being a part of that). James is a great writer and it's very interesting to see the history of the science. Many of his ideas have been proven since his death and are still important parts of modern psychology, but the book is long and the language might not be very accessible. Find an excerpt and give it a read.

TychoCelchuuu

How deep do you want to go? I mean on the one hand you can work your way through the greatest hits in philosophy of mind from Descartes and up, on the other hand you can read some Dennett and Nagel and stuff, and on the other hand you can read The Meme Machine.