Cosmic Consciousness
A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind

A 1901 study of development and evolution of consciousness; a historical trend culminating in individuals of the highest intellectual capability.

Richard Maurice Bucke (Edited by)

9781108027731, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 January 2011

344 pages
24.4 x 17 x 1.8 cm, 0.55 kg

This work, published in 1901, is the culmination of a lifetime of research and contemplation in which Richard Maurice Bucke (1837–1902) expounds his theory of the development and evolution of consciousness in living things. He uses his own experiences, those of contemporaries such as Tennyson, and of historical figures such as Francis Bacon, as evidence for moments of higher consciousness and intellect known as 'cosmic consciousness'. Bucke's theory is of three states of progressive consciousness, attained through evolution. The Simple Consciousness of animals, Self Consciousness of man to understand his place in the universe, and Cosmic Consciousness, where man might grow to understand the life and order of the cosmos. This pinnacle of understanding is a progression assisted by evolution that Bucke hopes will one day come to all men. A thought-provoking book at any time, full of optimism for the intellectual future of the human race.

Dedication
Notice
List of books quoted
Table of contents
Part I. First Words
Part II. Evolution and Devolution: 1. To self consciousness
2. On the plane of self consciousness
3. Devolution
Part III. From Self to Cosmic Consciousness
Part IV. Instances of Cosmic Consciousness: 1. Gautuma the Buddha
2. Jesus the Christ
3. Paul
4. Plotinus
5. Mohammed
6. Dante
7. Las Casas
8. John Yepes
9. Francis Bacon
10. Jacob Behmen
11. William Blake
12. Honoré de Balzac
13. Walt Whitman
14. Edward Carpenter
Part V. Additional - Some of Them Lesser, Imperfect, and Doubtful Instances: 1. The twilight
2. Moses
3. Gideon
4. Isaiah
5. Li R
6. Socrates
7. Roger Bacon
8. Pascal
9. Benedict Spinoza
10. James Gardiner
11. Swedenborg
12. William Wordsworth
13. Charles G. Finney
14. Alexander Pushkin
15. Emerson
16. Tennyson
17. J. B. B.
18. H. D. Thoreau
19. J. B.
20. C. P.
21. H. B.
22. R. P. S.
23. E. T.
24. Ramakrisana Paramahansa
25. J. H. J.
26. T. S. R.
27. W. H. W.
28. Richard Jefferies
29. C. M. C.
30. M. C. L.
31. J. W. W.
32. J. William Lloyd
33. Horace Traubel
34. Paul Tyner
35. C. Y. E.
36. A. J. S.
Part VI. Last Words.

Subject Areas: Psychology [JM]