The role of consciousness in adaptive behaviour: A philosophy for the science of animal consciousness
Adaptive Behavior June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/10597123241293184 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that consciousness research should shift from a human-centered top-down approach to an evolutionary bottom-up approach examining the adaptive origins of minimal subjective experience. Proposes the "pathological complexity thesis": consciousness evolved to enable animals to respond adaptively to their life history challenges. |
Abstract
What is the role of consciousness in nature? The science of consciousness has largely neglected the question through its emphasis on human experience. In this précis of A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness , I outline how we can move from a top-down approach that begins with investigations in humans to an evolutionary bottom-up approach that targets the adaptive origins of even the most minimal forms of subjective experience. I will also offer an introduction to the central thesis of the book, that is, the pathological complexity thesis, according to which consciousness evolved in order to enable animals to adaptively respond to their life history challenges.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 7
- Dimensions of Animal Consciousness. Trends in Cognitive Sciences August 20, 2020
- The Origins of Consciousness or the War of the Five Dimensions Biological Theory August 25, 2022
- Health, consciousness, and the evolution of subjects. Synthese 2023
- Complexity and the Evolution of Consciousness Biological Theory September 14, 2022
- Consciousness, complexity, and evolution. Behavioral and Brain Sciences March 23, 2022
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