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related 0.40 — supporting 4 facts
Panpsychism is related to evolution through the genetic argument, which posits that evolution is a continuous process that shapes pre-existing mental properties into complex forms [1], [2]. Additionally, historical figures like Ernst Häckel used the evolutionary connection between humans and nature to support panpsychist views [3], while proponents of panpsychism often cite the counterintuitive nature of evolution as a defense for their own theory's strangeness [4].
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Panpsychism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy plato.stanford.edu 2 facts
claimErnst Häckel (1834–1919) interpreted the evolutionary connection between humans and the rest of nature as evidence for panpsychism and was willing to ascribe mental properties to living cells.
perspectivePanpsychists argue that a theory's lack of fit with human intuition is not a sufficient reason to doubt its truth, citing counterintuitive scientific theories like evolution (common ancestry with apes), time dilation, and quantum superposition as examples that are accepted despite their strangeness.
Panpsychism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Fall 2025 Edition) plato.stanford.edu 1 fact
claimGenetic arguments for panpsychism posit that panpsychism provides the best account of the development of biological consciousness in evolutionary history by assuming evolution is a continuous process that molds pre-existing properties rather than producing entirely novel ones.
Panpsychism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Fall 2015 Edition) plato.stanford.edu 1 fact
claimThe genetic argument for panpsychism, which gained popularity following the rise of Darwinism in the mid-nineteenth century, assumes that evolution is a continuous process that shapes pre-existing properties into complex forms rather than producing entirely novel properties.