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  • The Self Illusion

  • Why There Is No "You" Inside Your Head
  • By: Bruce Hood
  • Narrated by: Bruce Hood
  • Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (268 ratings)
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The Self Illusion cover art

The Self Illusion

By: Bruce Hood
Narrated by: Bruce Hood
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Summary

The Self Illusion provides a fascinating examination of how the latest science shows that our individual concept of a self is in fact an illusion. Most of us believe that we possess a self - an internal individual who resides inside our bodies, making decisions, authoring actions and possessing free will. The feeling that a single, unified, enduring self inhabits the body is compelling and inescapable. But that sovereignty of the self is increasingly under threat from science as our understanding of the brain advances.

©2012 Bruce Hood (P)2012 W F Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

“Fascinating, timely and important ... Hood's presentation of the science behind our supersense is crystal clear and utterly engaging” ( New Scientist)
“Wonderful. Illuminating. Full of insight, beauty, and humor. Get to know thyself” (David Eagleman, author of Sum)
“Startling and engrossing” (Robin Ince)

What listeners say about The Self Illusion

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Informative and well presented

Not as I had expected however I found it interesting and well presented overall so did stick with it until the end. I liked it gave examples and explained each concept although I don't whole heartedly agree with them all it did give me food for thought and broader thinking which is a win in itself. I would recommend this book as it's a good piece for consideration and worth more than one listen to perhaps fully appreciate it

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fascinating

beautifully read by the author, very interesting concepts about our self-illusions which will be helpful in everyday life and give us a greater understanding of human psychology.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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it starts slow

A couple of times at the beginning of this book I found it a little bit dull but it steadily got much more interesting definitely worth a read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautifully read and utterly fascinating!

Utterly fascinating and educational in understanding and learning of the self and it's impact on self awareness of the mind and what it is like to be alive in an interesting epoc in human history. Exceptionally narrated by the author, it is easy to listen to and very well read. Will be going back to listen to this again to refresh what I have learned.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Really good listen

Well narrated & great content. Gives great insight into how the mind works. Highly recommend this book/audio book.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Patchy and erratic

Contains plenty of useful information but the argument rambles and contradicts itself. Having raised the hard problem the author spends much of the remainder of the book stating that the brain generates our experience. In spite of the metaphysical confusion the information presented makes its own case, though.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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interesting

very interesting. well narrated. the content gave me food for thought. I will listen again to elicit greater understanding.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very easy to understand

Very easy to understand. Narration was good by the actual author. Some new information regarding the "self" which I found interesting. A good into ducting to a fainting subject.

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Wonderful and refreshing

The narrator spoke clearly and at a pace that can be easily followed,the points and samples he mentions leave you in no doubt.After listening to this narrator over and over gives you new insight every time to me an e-book very hard to put down..

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Enlightening

It was an interesting book. It had a lot of information I didn't know yet. I'm not new to to this topic, but I still learned a lot. I'd recommend this book to any open-minded individual, as it would probably be to much for people with closed mindset.

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