The Origins of Consciousness or the War of the Five Dimensions
Biological Theory August 25, 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s13752-022-00408-y (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractConsciousness is not a single, all-or-nothing quality but a set of dimensions that evolved separately. By reverse-engineering their evolutionary functions, simpler valenced states likely arose first, with more complex phenomenological layers emerging later. This Darwinian approach reframes consciousness as phenomenological complexity. Support for this evaluation-first view comes from recent experimental philosophy of mind.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Philosophy |
| Citations | 21 |
| Key finding | Argues that consciousness is not a single all-or-nothing quality but a set of evolved dimensions, with simple valenced states arising first. |
Abstract
The goal of this article is to break down the dimensions of consciousness, attempt to reverse engineer their evolutionary function, and make sense of the origins of consciousness by breaking off those dimensions that are more likely to have arisen later. A Darwinian approach will allow us to revise the philosopher’s concept of consciousness away from a single “thing,” an all-or-nothing quality, and towards a concept of phenomenological complexity that arose out of simple valenced states. Finally, I will offer support for an evaluation-first view of consciousness by drawing on recent work in experimental philosophy of mind.