Symbolic representation by a two-dimensional matrix for profiling comparative animal behavior.

Summary

A new symbolic profile uses three observable behaviors—volition, interaction, and self-direction—to represent subjective experience across animals with a centralized nervous system. Each behavior is quantified by frequency, variety, and dynamism, creating a 3-by-3 matrix that can be displayed as a bidirectional heatmap. This approach allows quick comparison of subjective experience between species, from crustaceans to primates, highlighting similarities and differences without relying on human-centered metrics or empirical data. The profile is a theoretical construct based on markers of consciousness in humans but grounded in behaviors measurable in any animal.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The growing view that consciousness is widespread, multimodal, and evolutionarily non-linear in complexity across the animal kingdom has given rise recently to a variety of strategies for representing the heterogeneous nature of animal phenomenology. While based on markers clearly associated with consciousness in humans, most of these strategies are theoretical constructs lacking empirical data and are based on metrics appropriate for humans but difficult to measure in most non-human species. I propose a novel symbolic profile based on readily observable behaviors that logically constitute subjective experience across the entire spectrum of animals that possess a centralized nervous system. Three modes (markers) of behavior displayed by all animals - volition, interaction, and self-direction - are quantified according to the frequency, variety, and dynamism of each mode. The resulting matrix of 3 modes x 3 metrics can be expressed as a bi-directional heatmap, allowing for quick and easy inter-species comparisons. The overall effect is to highlight both similarities and differences in the subjective experience of animals ranging from crustaceans to primates.