Notes on Consciousness

Author: #Peter Godfrey-Smith

This book explores the concept of consciousness from an evolutionary perspective. Its most fascinating thesis is that the mind evolved in response to other minds.

There is also the idea that intelligent life was created not once, but at least twice. The octopus is part of a completely different evolutionary branch and yet shares many similarities with humans. It's interesting how they also independently ended up with two eyes functioning much the same as ours. We've been looking for alien intelligent life—the Octopus is already there.

From a philosophy perspective, it begs the question of the very definition of consciousness and what it's like to be an octopus, a bat, or even a plant? Is there a threshold to be considered conscious? If so, and in a world where continuity is the rule, wouldn't that be arbitrary?

Some research suggests many of our actions are completely automated, without us needing to feel anything, or be conscious of anything. It potentially makes consciousness a superfluous concept.