Assessing tests of animal consciousness.
Consciousness and cognition October 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103410 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA list of eight criteria is developed to evaluate tests for animal consciousness, addressing the challenge that many proposed behavioral and cognitive tests lack clear validity. The criteria are based on analogies between human and non-human behavior, theories of consciousness, and methods from human consciousness science. Tests that satisfy more of these criteria provide stronger evidence of consciousness, and future tests can be designed to meet them to increase evidential strength.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Animal consciousness Evidence of consciousness Global-workspace theory Measuring consciousness Newton’s principle |
| Citations | 30 |
| Key finding | A set of eight desiderata can be used to assess and design tests of animal consciousness, with more criteria satisfied indicating 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.