In defense of human consciousness

by Joseph F. Rychlak

Joseph F. Rychlak defies trends in psychology, sociology, and science that reduce the role of human intention in thought and behavior. This volume presents a model of the mind that reinforces the important role of free will in consciousness. Rychlak affirms that humans are purposive and have intentions that can best be explained by taking an internal perspective on consciousness. He confronts many essential questions about the nature of consciousness: Does free will exist? Does thinking occur through a biological process? In keeping with the traditions of philosophy, Rychlak measures his own logical learning theory of consciousness against the theories of other philosophers, psychologists, and scientists. By contrasting and comparing his own theories with everything from psychoanalysis to evolution to the currently reigning interpretations of consciousness and the new science of artificial intelligence, Rychlak consistently proves the applicablitity of his approach.