Consciousness as We Know It - A View from Biology

Explore a biological perspective on consciousness in this thought-provoking lecture by Eva Jablonka. Delve into the concept of consciousness as a biological mode of being, investigated through an evolutionary approach. Learn about the methodology adapted from Tibor Gánti's study of minimal life to examine minimal consciousness. Discover the set of capacities deemed necessary for minimal consciousness by biology-oriented scholars and understand the concept of an evolutionary transition marker. Examine the proposed marker of unlimited associative learning (UAL) and its role in constituting the dynamics of minimal consciousness. Investigate the neural implementation of UAL and its evolution over time. Consider how comparative studies of UAL in different animal groups can inform debates about the necessary and sufficient conditions for consciousness. Conclude with theoretical generalizations and predictions stemming from the UAL model, gaining valuable insights into the biological foundations of consciousness.

Eva Jablonka – Consciousness as we know it: a view from biology