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Consciousness as integrated perception, motivation, cognition, and action

Murray Shanahan

Animal Sentience August 3, 2026 DOI: 10.51291/2377-7478.1145 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Philosophy of mind
Keywords Cognition and perception
Key points Argues that behavioral grounds can justify consciousness ascription to non-human animals, including insects, and that Klein & Barron's perspective is reconcilable with global workspace theory's core claims, thereby bridging insect cognition research and a leading cognitive architecture framework.

Abstract

This commentary has two aims: first to clarify the behavioural grounds for the ascription of consciousness to non-human animals (including insects), and second to show how Klein & Barron’s views can be reconciled with the core claims of global workspace theory.

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