Entities, Uncertainties, and Behavioral Indicators of Consciousness
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience June 22, 2024 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_02130 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that identifying consciousness in nontypically functioning humans, nonhuman animals, and artificial intelligence relies on neurobiological and behavioral inferences that carry confounds and are made under significant scientific uncertainty and ethical bias. Proposes that methodological, epistemic, and ethical consensus is needed for responsible consciousness science, and that consideration of inductive risk could help manage both epistemic and ethical risks. |
Abstract
Abstract Two problems related to the identification of consciousness are the distribution problem—or how and among which entities consciousness is distributed in the world—and the moral status problem—or which species, entities, and individuals have moral status. The use of inferences from neurobiological and behavioral evidence, and their confounds, for identifying consciousness in nontypically functioning humans, nonhuman animals, and artificial intelligence is considered in light of significant scientific uncertainty and ethical biases, with implications for both problems. Methodological, epistemic, and ethical consensus are needed for responsible consciousness science under epistemic and ethical uncertainty. Consideration of inductive risk is proposed as a potential tool for managing both epistemic and ethical risks in consciousness science.