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| A classification of mental systems |
Consciousness in Animals
This simple model of consciousness has the implication that consciousness is a natural property of any animal with an advanced neural system. To sort out which animals might possess a suitably advanced neural system, and thus a degree of consciousness, a simple system for classifying mental systems has been devised. In reality, the range of mental systems in animals is continuous and there are probably many species with properties that overlap the proposed levels.
Simple systems
A simple animal system contains no neurons, although it may consist of up to a few thousand cells. Such an animal can participate in all the basic processes of life, even though it is incapable of any thought processes.
Protozoa, sponges, and hydra are examples of simple systems. Embryos of higher animals pass through a blastula stage, which is a simple system of several hundred cells arranged in the form of a hollow sphere. At that stage of development there is no cell differentiation in the embryo, thus no neurons, no thinking, and no consciousness.
Simple systems co-ordinate the activities of cells by sending electro-chemical signals across neighbouring cell boundaries.
Non-conscious systems
As animals with simple systems get bigger and bigger, the efforts to co-ordinate cellular activity by sending electro-chemical signals from cell-to-cell begin to fail. A larger animal with millions of cells utilizes neurons to carry communication signals quickly and efficiently to and from all parts of its body.
Rather than connecting individual cells to each other, neurons transmit signals from cells to a central point, where the signals are processed, and then responses are forwarded to appropriate cells. That central processing and switching organ is the animal’s brain.
Animals with simple brains are capable of responding to environmental stimuli with actions that have been genetically encoded (instincts). They are animals with brains, but are non-conscious.
Insects and mollusks provide good examples of non-conscious mental systems.
Conscious systems
Still larger animals, in complex physical and social environments, require a more rapid and adaptive approach for dealing with life-threatening situations. They have to be able to consider alternatives and make choices. These animals are conscious.
This simple model of consciousness has the implication that consciousness is a natural property of any animal with an advanced neural system. To sort out which animals might possess a suitably advanced neural system, and thus a degree of consciousness, a simple system for classifying mental systems has been devised. In reality, the range of mental systems in animals is continuous and there are probably many species with properties that overlap the proposed levels.
Simple systems
A simple animal system contains no neurons, although it may consist of up to a few thousand cells. Such an animal can participate in all the basic processes of life, even though it is incapable of any thought processes.
Protozoa, sponges, and hydra are examples of simple systems. Embryos of higher animals pass through a blastula stage, which is a simple system of several hundred cells arranged in the form of a hollow sphere. At that stage of development there is no cell differentiation in the embryo, thus no neurons, no thinking, and no consciousness.
Simple systems co-ordinate the activities of cells by sending electro-chemical signals across neighbouring cell boundaries.
Non-conscious systems
As animals with simple systems get bigger and bigger, the efforts to co-ordinate cellular activity by sending electro-chemical signals from cell-to-cell begin to fail. A larger animal with millions of cells utilizes neurons to carry communication signals quickly and efficiently to and from all parts of its body.
Rather than connecting individual cells to each other, neurons transmit signals from cells to a central point, where the signals are processed, and then responses are forwarded to appropriate cells. That central processing and switching organ is the animal’s brain.
Animals with simple brains are capable of responding to environmental stimuli with actions that have been genetically encoded (instincts). They are animals with brains, but are non-conscious.
Insects and mollusks provide good examples of non-conscious mental systems.
Conscious systems
Still larger animals, in complex physical and social environments, require a more rapid and adaptive approach for dealing with life-threatening situations. They have to be able to consider alternatives and make choices. These animals are conscious.
Applying the model of consciousness proposed in the previous section, it is reasonable to assume that the conscious part of an animal’s brain is associated with its immediate-term memory. A basic classification scheme for mental systems is provided .
While one aspect of an animal’s brain works at the conscious level, the rest of the brain’s activity is said to occur at the subconscious level.
With the proposed definitions of consciousness and sub-consciousness, it is apparent that conscious activity is a refinement of an animal’s mental activity while the bulk of neural signal processing still occurs at the subconscious level.
Humans are conscious and self-aware. If I were not conscious I would not have been able to write this book, and if you were not conscious you would not be able to read it. However, the classification system outlined suggests that many other animals are also conscious beings. Is that notion plausible?
Anyone who has interacted with chimpanzees, orangutans, elephants, dogs, or dolphins would probably agree that they possess a degree of consciousness.
Chimpanzees exhibit simple problem solving skills and the ability to use abstract symbols to communicate. Orangutans can learn by imitation. Elephants have been known to exhibit signs of grief over the death of a family member and can retain memories over decades. Dogs develop distinct personalities and can make their emotions very clear with facial expressions and wagging tails. Dolphins are friendly, curious, and quick to learn from human trainers.
It is apparent that many animals, in addition to humans, are conscious beings.
While one aspect of an animal’s brain works at the conscious level, the rest of the brain’s activity is said to occur at the subconscious level.
With the proposed definitions of consciousness and sub-consciousness, it is apparent that conscious activity is a refinement of an animal’s mental activity while the bulk of neural signal processing still occurs at the subconscious level.
Humans are conscious and self-aware. If I were not conscious I would not have been able to write this book, and if you were not conscious you would not be able to read it. However, the classification system outlined suggests that many other animals are also conscious beings. Is that notion plausible?
Anyone who has interacted with chimpanzees, orangutans, elephants, dogs, or dolphins would probably agree that they possess a degree of consciousness.
Chimpanzees exhibit simple problem solving skills and the ability to use abstract symbols to communicate. Orangutans can learn by imitation. Elephants have been known to exhibit signs of grief over the death of a family member and can retain memories over decades. Dogs develop distinct personalities and can make their emotions very clear with facial expressions and wagging tails. Dolphins are friendly, curious, and quick to learn from human trainers.
It is apparent that many animals, in addition to humans, are conscious beings.
