Human consciousness: One of a kind
Behavioral and Brain Sciences December 1, 1995 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x00040541 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that distinguishing functions from uses of consciousness helps avoid teleological interpretations, and that examining assumptions about its phylogenetic distribution supports some value in treating consciousness as an exclusively human attribute. |
Abstract
AbstractTo avoid teleological interpretations, it is important to make a distinction between functions and uses of consciousness, and to address questions concerning the consequences of consciousness. Assumptions about the phylogenetic distribution of consciousness are examined. It is concluded that there is some value in identifying consciousness an exclusively human attribute.