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research
What is Consciousness For?
Authors
Dr. Lee Pierson
Monroe Trout
Publication date
1 January 2005
Publisher
Abstract
What is Consciousness For? Lee Pierson and Monroe Trout Copyright © 2005 Abstract: The answer to the title question is, in a word, volition. Our hypothesis is that the ultimate adaptive function of consciousness is to make volitional movement possible. All conscious processes exist to subserve that ultimate function. Thus, we believe that all conscious organisms possess at least some volitional capability. Consciousness makes volitional attention possible; volitional attention, in turn, makes volitional movement possible. There is, as far as we know, no valid theoretical argument that consciousness is needed for any function other than volitional movement and no convincing empirical evidence that consciousness performs any other ultimate function. Consciousness, via volitional action, increases the likelihood that an organism will direct its attention, and ultimately its movements, to whatever is most important for its survival and reproduction
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CogPrints Cognitive Sciences Eprint Archive
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oai:cogprints.org:4482
Last time updated on 14/12/2017
Cognitive Sciences ePrint Archive
See this paper in CORE
Go to the repository landing page
Download from data provider
oai:cogprints.org:4482
Last time updated on 01/07/2012