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Determinism and attributions of consciousness
Gunnar Björnsson1, Joshua Shepherd2,3
1Department of Philosophy, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Philosophical Psychology
|August 5, 2020
Summary
Manipulating whether an agent's behavior is deterministically caused affects consciousness attributions. This impact is mediated by agency concepts like moral responsibility and free will, not direct.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Philosophy of Mind
- Moral Psychology
Background:
- Attributing consciousness to agents is a complex cognitive process.
- Previous research suggests a link between perceived determinism and consciousness attributions.
- The precise mechanisms underlying this link, particularly the role of agency concepts, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether deterministic causation influences consciousness attributions.
- To determine if this influence is direct or mediated by agency-related concepts.
- To extend and defend existing theories on consciousness and agency attributions.
Main Methods:
- Experimental manipulation of perceived behavioral determinism.
- Assessment of explicit consciousness attributions.
- Measurement of beliefs related to agency (moral responsibility, free will, deliberate choice, sensitivity to moral reasons).
- Statistical mediation analyses to test indirect effects.
Main Results:
- Behavioral determinism significantly impacts explicit consciousness attributions.
- Evidence supports a mediation model: determinism influences consciousness via agency concepts.
- Specific agency notions like moral responsibility and free will mediate the effect.
Conclusions:
- Consciousness attributions are malleable and influenced by beliefs about causation.
- Agency concepts play a crucial role in mediating the relationship between determinism and consciousness.
- Findings support and extend theories linking agency and consciousness, addressing recent critiques.
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