A Philosophy For The Science Of Animal Consciousness

A Philosophy For The Science Of Animal Consciousness

A discussion of how animals perceive themselves and the things around them.

Key Points

  • Advances Donald Griffin's vision of animal consciousness as an evolved phenomenon.
  • Argues for a Darwinian bottom-up approach to understanding consciousness across species.
  • Explores the evolutionary origins and functions of consciousness in various animals.
  • Integrates cognitive ethology and evolutionary biology to redefine animal minds.
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  • Rubicon
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This book attempts to advance Donald Griffin’s vision of the “final, crowning chapter of the
Darwinian revolution” by developing a philosophy for the science of animal consciousness. It
advocates a Darwinian bottom-up approach that treats consciousness as a complex, evolved,
and multidimensional phenomenon in nature rather than a mysterious all-or-nothing property
immune to the tools of science and restricted to a single species.
The so-called emergence of a science of consciousness in the 1990s has at best been a science
of human consciousness. This book aims to advance a true Darwinian science of consciousness
in which its evolutionary origin, function, and phylogenetic diversity are moved from the field’s
periphery to its very centre, thus enabling us to integrate consciousness into an evolutionary
view of life. Accordingly, this book has two objectives: (i) to argue for the need and possibility
of an evolutionary bottom-up approach that addresses the problem of consciousness in terms of
the evolutionary origins of a new ecological lifestyle that made consciousness worth having and
(ii) to articulate a thesis and beginnings of a theory of the place of consciousness as a complex
evolved phenomenon in nature that can help us to answer the question of what it is like to be a
bat, an octopus, or a crow.
A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness will appeal to researchers and advanced stu-
dents interested in advancing our understanding of animal minds as well as anyone with a keen
interest in how we can develop a science of animal consciousness.
Walter Veit is a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Bristol. His interests stretch
widely across science and philosophy, but they are primarily located at the intersection of the
biological, social, and mind sciences in addition to empirically informed philosophy and ethics.
A PHILOSOPHY FOR THE SCIENCE
OF ANIMAL CONSCIOUSNESS
In A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness, Walter Veit argues for a more thoroughly
Darwinian approach to understanding how consciousness has come into existence, and in which
beings it is to be found. By shifting the focus away from human consciousness, he helps us to
understand the diversity of forms of consciousness that exist in other animals.
Peter Singer, Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University
The a priori position that human consciousness differs from that in other animals has become
hard to defend. In an eye-opening account, Walter Veit explains why. As a true philosopher, he
delves into both the richness and ambiguity of the concept of consciousness.
Frans de Waal, C. H. Candler Professor of Psychology, Emory University
Walter Veit takes a deep historically- and empirically-informed look at the origins of cognitive
ethology and re-centers the field on Donald Griffin’s original idea that it’s consciousness in
animals that really matters. He tackles the question of how to fit an account of consciousness
into the life histories of individual animals, using a Darwinian framework that emphasizes the
variety and adaptive radiation of forms and functions of consciousness in the evolutionary tree.
Colin Allen, Distinguished Professor, University of Pittsburgh
Some think that explaining consciousness is beyond the scope of evolutionary theory.
Undeterred, Walter Veit rolls up his sleeves and gets on with the task. Drawing on the latest
work in evolutionary biology, cognitive ethology, and neuroeconomics, he reverse engineers
consciousness, distinguishing its different dimensions and components and identifying its roots
in an ancient evaluative system which evolved to manage the complex action-selection problems
faced by early forms of animal life. This is a pioneering and important book, which is informed
throughout by an awareness of the rich diversity of animal life and experience. It will challenge
your view of consciousness and transform your attitude to your fellow creatures.
Keith Frankish, Honorary Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Sheffield
Walter Veit has written a very thoughtful and thought-provoking philosophical exploration of
the evolutionary origins of consciousness. He aims to bring us closer to a true biological science
of animal consciousness, what Donald R. Griffin, the founder of the field of Cognitive Ethology,
termed the “crowning chapter of the Darwinian revolution.” That chapter is to be written by
studying the mental experiences of animals in their daily lives and natural worlds.
Veit’s work exhibits the fruitfulness of the growing collaborations between philosophers and
scientists of animal behavior to the clear benefit of both. He gives serious consideration to the
problem of consciousness and the evolution of forms of consciousness, integrating the work of
many disciplines and delineating the likely functional significance of consciousness and its vari-
eties in different species.
Veit offers persuasive arguments and examples that evaluative consciousness lies at the core of
the phenomenon of consciousness, though leaving enough to argue about and discuss fruitfully
as to other characteristics that may be strong contenders for that role.
His work is a significant contribution to the field and well worth delving into.
Carolyn A. Ristau
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FAQs of A Philosophy For The Science Of Animal Consciousness

What is the main thesis of A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness?
Walter Veit's main thesis is that consciousness should be understood as a complex and evolved phenomenon that exists across various animal species, not just humans. He argues for a Darwinian approach that emphasizes the evolutionary origins and adaptive functions of consciousness. This perspective allows for a broader understanding of how consciousness manifests in different animals, such as bats and octopuses, and challenges the notion that human consciousness is fundamentally different from that of other species.
How does Veit propose to study animal consciousness?
Veit proposes a Darwinian framework to study animal consciousness, suggesting that it should be approached from an evolutionary perspective. He emphasizes the need to explore the ecological lifestyles that made consciousness advantageous for survival. By examining the phylogenetic diversity of consciousness, Veit aims to integrate this understanding into a comprehensive view of life, moving consciousness from the periphery to the center of evolutionary biology.
What disciplines does the book draw upon to discuss consciousness?
The book draws upon various disciplines, including evolutionary biology, cognitive ethology, and neuroeconomics, to provide a well-rounded perspective on consciousness. Veit utilizes insights from these fields to reverse engineer consciousness, identifying its dimensions and components. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a richer understanding of how consciousness has evolved and functions in different animal species.
What implications does Veit's work have for our understanding of animal minds?
Veit's work has significant implications for our understanding of animal minds by challenging the traditional view that human consciousness is unique. By advocating for a more inclusive perspective on consciousness, he encourages researchers to consider the cognitive abilities of various animals. This shift in focus can lead to a deeper appreciation of the richness of animal experiences and the evolutionary significance of consciousness across species.

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