The Origins of Consciousness or the War of the Five Dimensions
Biological Theory August 25, 2022 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/s13752-022-00408-y via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Consciousness likely evolved from simple valenced states rather than emerging as a single all-or-nothing quality. By breaking down its dimensions and applying a Darwinian approach, the article argues that phenomenological complexity arose gradually, with evaluative components appearing first. Support for this evaluation-first view comes from recent experimental philosophy of mind.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | Consciousness likely evolved from simple valenced states, supporting an evaluation-first view of its origins. |
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Abstract
The goal of this article is to break down the dimensions of consciousness, attempt to reverse engineer their evolutionary function, and make sense of the origins of consciousness by breaking off those dimensions that are more likely to have arisen later. A Darwinian approach will allow us to revise the philosopher’s concept of consciousness away from a single “thing,” an all-or-nothing quality, and towards a concept of phenomenological complexity that arose out of simple valenced states. Finally, I will offer support for an evaluation-first view of consciousness by drawing on recent work in experimental philosophy of mind.