From Subliminality, to the Unconscious Mind: Philosophical Lineages, Evolutionary Paradoxes, and the Future of the Origins of the Unconscious.
Integrative psychological & behavioral science March 17, 2026 Myron Tsikandilakis, Persefoni Bali, Roland Erich Uriko et al.
The authors argue that subliminal processing—unconscious responses to imperceptible stimuli—cannot be the sole basis for evolutionary skill acquisition, conscious problem-solving, or social engagement. They contend that a purely subliminal unconscious would pose an evolutionary disadvantage, whereas unconscious processes that interact with conscious awareness are necessary for ecological adaptation. The paper discusses how unconscious-and-conscious communication supports implicit and explicit learning, physiological responses, and adaptive evaluation. It concludes by noting the lack of an experimental paradigm to properly investigate subliminality and the interactions between consciousness and the unconscious mind.