Consciousness science as a marketplace of rationalizations
PsyArXiv October 10, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/hvsmj_v1 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractTheoretical predictions about phenomenal consciousness in other beings are often untestable, creating evidential underdetermination. When combined with the perceived moral importance of consciousness, this situation risks turning consciousness science into a marketplace of rationalizations, where theories primarily reaffirm existing social practices and conventions rather than being empirically constrained.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that the untestability of theoretical predictions about phenomenal consciousness, together with the moral significance attributed to consciousness, puts consciousness science at risk of becoming a marketplace of rationalizations that reaffirm 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.