The Biological Evolution of Consciousness
Corey J. Maley, Gualtiero Piccinini
March 15, 2018 DOI: 10.4324/9781315676982-29 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Citations | 5 |
| Key points | Argues that phenomenal consciousness could have evolved through selection for an adaptive function, as a byproduct of another trait, or through random genetic drift, and that pinpointing its function is more difficult than it seems. Contends that placing consciousness in evolutionary history is further complicated by a lack of consensus on its physical basis and on how it relates to that basis. |
Abstract
This chapter is about how consciousness might have evolved, and why. It discusses phenomenal consciousness—the ways subjective experiences feel. The chapter points out that there are several ways that a biological trait such as phenomenal consciousness might have arisen during evolution: it might have been selected for because it performs an adaptive function, it might have arisen as a byproduct of some other trait, or it might be the result of random genetic drift. It considers what consciousness might be an adaptation for but adds that identifying the function of phenomenal consciousness is harder than it seems. The chapter also considers how phenomenal consciousness might have originated during evolution if it has no function. Finding a place for phenomenal consciousness within evolutionary history faces two additional challenges: there is little consensus on what the physical basis of consciousness is, and there is no consensus on how phenomenal consciousness relates to its physical basis.