The evolutionary functions of consciousness.
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci November 13, 2025 W. Tecumseh Fitch, Colin Allen, Adina L Roskies 4 citations
The question of whether consciousness evolved, and what adaptive problems it solved, remains underexplored in consciousness studies. This special issue introduction discusses terminology, theoretical frameworks, and possible answers, drawing on contributions from 28 scholars. It argues that understanding the evolutionary functions of consciousness is central to biology and evolution, regardless of which species possess it. The issue aims to fill a gap in the literature by examining how consciousness might have provided survival advantages.