Comparative Consciousness Research in Ecological Context: Elephants, Macaques, Plovers, and a Case Against Plant Consciousness
Adaptive Behavior February 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/10597123251413199 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the pathological complexity thesis helps explain links between life-history complexity and consciousness-related capacities across species, citing piping plover intentionality, bonnet macaque self-awareness and mindreading, and elephant phenomenology as supporting cases, and addresses Yilmaz's case for plant consciousness. |
Abstract
In this article, I demonstrate the value of the pathological complexity thesis for comparative consciousness research. I discuss how Ristau’s piping plover research illuminates links between life-history complexity and intentionality. How Sinha’s bonnet macaque studies demonstrate how social drivers of pathological complexity predict self-awareness and mindreading capacities. And how Ross’s discussion of elephant life histories and consciousness allows us to compare the phenomenology if humans and elephants. Finally, I address Yilmaz’s discussion of the case for plant consciousness.