Consciousness; research says insects have it (Introduction)

by David Turell , Sunday, July 03, 2016, 15:33 (3064 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: A very interesting comment. If these mechanisms “support” subjective awareness, the implication is that they do not cause it. Some of us would argue that we know insects have subjective awareness and selective attention and consciousness by observing their behaviour - as confirmed by their ability to solve problems, take decisions, create complex structures.-It is unfortunate that the researchers used the word consciousness. Those insects are aware, are obviously conscious, but do not have self-aware consciousness.-
> dhw: If they don't agree with you, they have a problem explaining what appears to be intelligent behaviour.-Absolutely! -> 
> QUOTE: "Both the bacteria and the algae appear to benefit from the arrangement, reminiscent of ants farming aphids. “I suspect it's mutualism,” says Rita Colwell of the University of Maryland at College Park. “They wouldn't be there if it wasn't beneficial to both parties.”
> David's comment: Very similar to ants herding aphids.
> 
> dhw: I would suggest that the anomaly created by the ant/bacteria analogy is resolved by taking the opposite view to both yours and that of the insect researchers: that if brains are "supports" and not the source of consciousness, organisms without brains simply have different means of translating their consciousness into action.-You want bacteria to have consciousness? Really? Loose use of word. Evidence? I accept that bacteria act as if they are conscious, and can explain it totally biochemically.