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The Role of Consciousness in Adaptive Behavior: Précis of A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness

Veit, Walter (2024) The Role of Consciousness in Adaptive Behavior: Précis of A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness. [Preprint]

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Abstract

What is the role of consciousness in nature? The science of consciousness has largely neglected the question through its emphasis on human experience. In this précis of A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness, I outline how we can move from a top-down approach that begins with investigations in humans to an evolutionary bottom-up approach that targets the adaptive origins of even the most minimal forms of subjective experience. I will also offer an introduction to the central thesis of the book, i.e. the pathological complexity thesis, according to which consciousness evolved in order to enable animals to adaptively respond to their life history challenges.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Veit, Walterwrwveit@gmail.com0000-0001-7701-8995
Keywords: consciousness, adaptive behavior, evolution, subjective experience, animal consciousness
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology
Specific Sciences > Psychology > Evolutionary Psychology
Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Consciousness
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Depositing User: Dr. Walter Veit
Date Deposited: 07 Oct 2024 12:19
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2024 12:19
Item ID: 24022
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology
Specific Sciences > Psychology > Evolutionary Psychology
Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Consciousness
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Date: 2024
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/24022

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