Unlimited Associative Learning and the Theory-Light Approach to Non-human Consciousness
Journal of Consciousness Studies December 1, 2024 DOI: 10.53765/20512201.31.11.085 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Birch's theory-light methodology for studying invertebrate consciousness depends on positive markers being genuinely ecumenical, and that the influential marker of unlimited associative learning qualifies as positive evidence for consciousness on only a small handful of theories, rendering the approach tacitly theory-heavy. |
Abstract
Birch (2022a) proposes a theory-light methodology for studying whether invertebrates have the capacity for (phenomenal) consciousness. The success of any such methodology turns on the positive markers it proposes, and whether they are genuinely ecumenical. After providing an account of what it is for a marker to be ecumenical, it is argued that one of the more influential set of markers offered – unlimited associative learning – clearly counts as positive evidence for consciousness on only a small handful of theories, rendering Birch???s theory-light approach tacitly theory-heavy. What emerges is a broader lesson concerning what exactly is required for the theory-light framework to be successful.