Consciousness as an ontological primitive
Behavioral and Brain Sciences 2026 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x25103506 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that AI may be incapable of the type of understanding and intelligence known to humans, and contends that panpsychism may be a more rationally satisfying explanation for the origins of consciousness than emergence. It also offers brief reflections on matter and consciousness and on hemisphere differences and AI. |
Abstract
Abstract Distinctions can be made between information-processing, different kinds of knowledge, and understanding (intelligence). AI may be incapable of the type of understanding/intelligence known to humans. On the origins of consciousness, panpsychism may be a more rationally satisfying explanation than emergence. Some brief reflections are included on the relation between matter and consciousness, and on hemisphere differences and AI.