NDLI: The Evolutionary Rationale for Consciousness

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Grinde, Bjørn
Copyright Year	2012
Abstract	To answer the question of why we have consciousness, I propose the following evolutionary trajectory leading to this feature: Nervous systems appeared for the purpose of orchestrating behavior. As a rule of thumb the challenges facing an animal concern either approach or avoidance. These two options were originally hard-wired as reflexes. Improvements in adaptability of response came with an expansion of the computational aspect of the system and a concomitant shift from simple reflexes to instinctual behavior, learning, and eventually, feelings. The assessment of positive and negative feelings allows organisms to weigh various options, but for this to be a viable strategy, an awareness of hedonic value is required. This was presumably the first neural attribute to evolve that required awareness, and thus the key force in the evolution of consciousness. The attribute first appeared in the early amniotes (the phylogenetic group comprising reptiles, birds and mammals). Support for this model in current accounts of the neurobiology of feelings and consciousness is discussed.
Starting Page	227
Ending Page	236
Page Count	10
File Format	PDF
ISSN	15555542
Journal	Biological Theory
Volume Number	7
Issue Number	3
e-ISSN	15555550
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Netherlands
Publisher Date	2012-12-14
Publisher Place	Dordrecht
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Philosophy of Biology Self-awareness Consciousness Mood modules Evolution Evolutionary Biology Cognitive Psychology Amniotes Emotions
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics History and Philosophy of Science

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