Consciousness science as a marketplace of rationalizations

Theoretical predictions about phenomenal consciousness in other beings are often untestable, creating evidential underdetermination. When combined with the perceived moral importance of consciousness, this situation risks turning consciousness science into a marketplace of rationalizations, where theories primarily reaffirm existing social practices and conventions rather than being empirically constrained.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In consciousness science, theoretical predictions are often untestable, such as claims about phenomenal consciousness in other beings. This evidential underdetermination, in combination with the perceived moral significance of consciousness, puts consciousness science at risk of becoming a marketplace of rationalizations: a field that produces theories that reaffirm social practices and conventions.