The search for invertebrate consciousness

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Animal Cognition
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• The question of invertebrate consciousness remains unresolved due to a lack of consensus on methodology.
• Existing approaches, such as theory-heavy and theory-neutral, present significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel, productive approach to studying invertebrate consciousness.
• To introduce the "theory-light" approach as a viable middle path.

Main Methods:

• Distinguishing between theory-heavy, theory-neutral, and theory-light approaches.
• Defining the core hypothesis of the theory-light approach: the "facilitation hypothesis."

Main Results:

• Theory-heavy and theory-neutral approaches face substantial difficulties.
• The "facilitation hypothesis" posits that conscious perception boosts cognitive abilities compared to unconscious perception.

Conclusions:

• The "theory-light" approach offers a productive framework for advancing research on invertebrate consciousness.
• Future research should systematically investigate consciousness-linked cognitive abilities and their modulation.