Consciousness science as a marketplace of rationalizations.
The Behavioral and brain sciences June 25, 2026 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x2510304x (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractTheoretical predictions about phenomenal consciousness in other beings are often untestable, creating evidential underdetermination. Combined with the moral weight assigned to consciousness, this situation risks turning consciousness science into a marketplace of rationalizations, where theories serve to reaffirm existing social practices and conventions rather than being empirically constrained.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that the untestability of theoretical predictions about phenomenal consciousness, together with the moral weight assigned to consciousness, puts consciousness science at risk of producing theories that rationalize social practices and conventions. |
Abstract
In consciousness science, theoretical predictions are often untestable, such as claims about phenomenal consciousness in other beings. This evidential underdetermination, in combination with the perceived moral significance of consciousness, puts consciousness science at risk of becoming a marketplace of rationalizations: a field that produces theories that reaffirm social practices and conventions.