Assessing tests of animal consciousness.
Consciousness and cognition October 1, 2022 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103410 via PubMed
Summary
A set of eight criteria is proposed to evaluate tests for consciousness in animals. These criteria draw from human behavior linked to consciousness, theories of consciousness, and methods from human consciousness science. Tests that satisfy more of these criteria provide stronger evidence of consciousness. The framework can also guide the design of future tests to ensure their evidential strength.
Study at a glance
| Design | review |
|---|---|
| Key finding | A list of eight desiderata can be used to assess putative tests of animal consciousness, where tests satisfying more criteria provide stronger evidence. |
Abstract
Which animals have conscious experiences? Many different, diverse and unrelated behaviors and cognitive capacities have been proposed as tests of the presence of consciousness in an animal. It is unclear which of these tests, if any, are valid. To remedy this problem, I develop a list consisting of eight desiderata which can be used to assess putative tests of animal consciousness. These desiderata are based either on detailed analogies between consciousness-linked human behavior and non-human behavior, on theories of consciousness or on methods from human consciousness science. If a test or set of tests satisfies more of these desiderata, passing it provides stronger evidence of consciousness. Moreover, one can design future tests of animal consciousness with the intention of satisfying these desiderata to ensure their evidential strength.