Redefining Mindedness: Consciousness Without A Brain

Abstract

This paper challenges the anthropocentric conception of phenomenal consciousness, arguing that its potential manifestations extend beyond the human brain to encompass certain animals, plants, and future artificial systems. Drawing on evidence from comparative cognition, plant neurobiology, and neuromorphic computing, the essay posits that consciousness is best understood as a functional capacity for adaptive, goal-directed behavior and integrated information processing. It critiques the limitations of behavioral benchmarks and proposes a novel, four-dimensional framework for assessing consciousness across diverse substrates, focusing on information integration depth, goal-generation autonomy, phenomenal experience verification, and anti-interference context migration. The analysis concludes that while current artificial intelligence lacks consciousness, its future emergence remains a tangible possibility with profound ethical implications. Consequently, the paper advocates for a paradigm shift in moral consideration, urging the development of evidence-based ethical frameworks to guide our interaction with all potentially conscious entities.