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Consciousness and evolution are linked through various theoretical frameworks that treat consciousness as an emergent property or functional product of evolutionary processes, as discussed by Dennett [1], Seth [2], and Lacalli [3]. Furthermore, scholars debate whether consciousness could have evolved given its potential inertness [4] or its role in mediating complex material organization [5], with some researchers specifically investigating the historical development of consciousness as an evolutionary phenomenon {fact:13, fact:16}.
Facts (16)
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The function(s) of consciousness: an evolutionary perspective frontiersin.org 4 facts
referenceMax Velmans published 'The evolution of consciousness' in Contemporary Social Science in 2012.
claimEvolution acts at a population level to explore a "cognospace" of behaviors possible with consciousness, which is analogous to how evolution explores a "morphospace" of body forms through skeletal innovation.
claimThe vertebrate skeleton is used as a model for understanding the evolution of complex entities composed of subcomponents that must operate together in a coordinated way, analogous to a consciousness composed of diverse contents.
referenceLacalli (2021) frames consciousness as a product of evolution, specifically discussing contents, selector circuits, and trajectories in experience space.
Panpsychism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Fall 2015 Edition) plato.stanford.edu 2 facts
quoteWilliam Clifford stated: "… we cannot suppose that so enormous a jump from one creature to another should have occurred at any point in the process of evolution as the introduction of a fact entirely different and absolutely separate from the physical fact. It is impossible for anybody to point out the particular place in the line of descent where that event can be supposed to have taken place. The only thing that we can come to, if we accept the doctrine of evolution at all, is that even in the very lowest organism, even in the Amoeba which swims about in our own blood, there is something or other, inconceivably simple to us, which is of the same nature with our own consciousness …"
perspectiveWilliam Clifford argued that evolution cannot involve an enormous jump where an entirely novel property, such as consciousness, is introduced, as it is impossible to identify a specific point in the line of descent where such an event would occur.
The development of consciousness from an evolutionary perspective academia.edu 1 fact
claimEvolution is examined as a force of mediation between the basic forces of inertia and entropy, operating to move energy to more complex and diverse codal relations within a triadic architectural frame of filiated hierarchical levels of material organization and consciousness.
Panpsychism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy plato.stanford.edu 1 fact
quoteWilliam Clifford argued: "… we cannot suppose that so enormous a jump from one creature to another should have occurred at any point in the process of evolution as the introduction of a fact entirely different and absolutely separate from the physical fact. It is impossible for anybody to point out the particular place in the line of descent where that event can be supposed to have taken place. The only thing that we can come to, if we accept the doctrine of evolution at all, is that even in the very lowest organism, even in the Amoeba which swims about in our own blood, there is something or other, inconceivably simple to us, which is of the same nature with our own consciousness…."
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness cambridge.org 1 fact
claimJohn Eccles and Karl Popper argued that epiphenomenalism makes the evolution of consciousness inexplicable because it renders consciousness inert and useless, and useless features do not evolve.
AI Sessions #9: The Case Against AI Consciousness (with Anil Seth) conspicuouscognition.com 1 fact
perspectiveAnil Seth asserts that consciousness can have functional value for an organism and is likely a product of evolution, meaning it is useful to take a functional view of conscious experiences.
Understanding LLM Understanding skywritingspress.ca 1 fact
perspectiveDan Dennett advocated for evolutionary biology and computational models of the mind, and proposed that consciousness is an emergent property of neural processes and evolution.
Fame in the Brain—Global Workspace Theories of Consciousness psychologytoday.com 1 fact
claimGlobal Workspace Theory is compatible with various other theories of consciousness, including those grounded in evolution that incorporate learning as a key factor in the evolution of consciousness.
Are there any main theories on the evolution of consciousness? reddit.com 1 fact
claimThere is no evidence that consciousness evolved, nor is there reason to believe that the evolution of consciousness is possible.
Complexity and the Evolution of Consciousness | Biological Theory link.springer.com 1 fact
quote[I]t seems certain, as a matter of observable fact, that the association of Pleasure and Pain with organic states and processes which are respectively beneficial and deleterious to the organism, is the most important function of Consciousness in the scheme of Evolution. And for this reason I have placed the origin of Pleasures and Pains very low down in the scale of conscious life.
Scientists Identify the Evolutionary “Purpose” of Consciousness scitechdaily.com 1 fact
claimConsciousness is an older and more widespread evolutionary phenomenon than had previously been assumed by researchers.
Moving Forward on the Problem of Consciousness - David Chalmers consc.net 1 fact
claimDavid Chalmers explains that an epiphenomenalist can account for the evolution of consciousness by arguing that evolution selects for physical processes directly, and psychophysical laws ensure that consciousness evolves alongside those processes.