Affordances, culture, and consciousness
Behavioral and Brain Sciences 2026 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x25103154 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Ko and Neuberg's framework, which presents consciousness as an adaptive, generative capacity grounded in Gibson's ecological affordances, risks oversimplifying life stages and cultural variability. Proposes that attending to cultural evolution and cross-cultural variation reframes consciousness as an adaptive skill, with generativity central to the future of human identity. |
Abstract
Abstract This comment examines ecological affordances as a bridge between science and philosophy. Building on Gibson’s insights, Ko and Neuberg’s framework presents consciousness as an adaptive, generative capacity. However, it currently risks oversimplifying life stages and cultural variability. Greater attention to cultural evolution and cross-cultural variation reveals consciousness as an adaptive skill, with generativity central to the future of human identity.
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Bridging the gap of brain and experience - Converging Neurophenomenology with Spatiotemporal Neuroscience. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews June 1, 2025
- Evolutionary Origin and the Development of Consciousness. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews December 1, 2021
- Is artificial consciousness achievable? Lessons from the human brain. Neural Networks December 1, 2024
- Illusionism Big and Small: Some Options for Explaining Consciousness. eNeuro October 1, 2024