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Consciousness and cognition in plants.
Miguel Segundo-Ortin1, Paco Calvo2
1Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science
|September 24, 2021
Summary
Plants may possess cognitive and conscious abilities, challenging traditional views. Research into plant neurobiology and signaling explores the biological basis for plant sentience and phenomenal experience.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Biology
- Philosophy of Mind
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Traditionally, plant behavior is viewed as genetically or environmentally determined, classifying plants as noncognitive.
- Empirical evidence increasingly suggests plants exhibit sophisticated cognitive capabilities, previously thought exclusive to animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To foster an empirically informed debate on plant cognition and consciousness.
- To explore the potential for sentience in facilitating complex plant behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Review of empirical literature on plant cognition.
- Introduction to plant neurobiology and its relevance.
- Discussion of electrical and chemical signaling in plants.
Main Results:
- Growing body of research indicates cognitive functions in plants.
- Plant neurobiology offers insights into biological bases for sentience.
- Electrical and chemical signaling pathways are key areas of investigation.
Conclusions:
- Plants may possess a form of consciousness or phenomenal experience.
- The possibility of evolved consciousness in plants should not be dismissed.
- Scientific investigation into plant consciousness is a viable and important pursuit.
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