Integrated information as a possible basis for plant consciousness.

Area of Science:

• Plant biology
• Neuroscience
• Evolutionary biology

Background:

• The prevailing view assumes plants lack consciousness, often using anthropocentric or animal-centric criteria.
• Applying animal-based consciousness criteria to plants leads to their exclusion from conscious consideration.
• A 'top-down' approach, based on human consciousness, overlooks alternative forms of awareness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate plant consciousness using a 'bottom-up' evolutionary approach.
• To apply Integrated Information Theory (IIT) to assess consciousness in plant structures.
• To explore the potential for minimal consciousness in plant meristems.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a bottom-up, evolutionary framework for consciousness assessment.
• Applying Integrated Information Theory (IIT) as a leading theoretical model for consciousness.
• Analyzing the functional activity of plant meristems.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests plant meristems exhibit activity consistent with minimal consciousness.
• Plant meristems may represent a unique evolutionary pathway for consciousness.
• The findings challenge traditional, animal-centric definitions of consciousness.

Conclusions:

• Plant meristems demonstrate characteristics indicative of a basic form of consciousness.
• Consciousness in biological organisms may have evolved through diverse strategies.
• This research necessitates a re-evaluation of consciousness beyond animal models.