Continuity Vs Discontinuity Theories: Exploring Consciousness

Introduction

From an evolutionary viewpoint, theories about consciousness can range from the fact that only human beings are conscious to the fact that all matter is in some sense conscious. This is also referred to as distribution of consciousness. Is consciousness only limited to human beings or it can also be attributed to other living beings? Many philosophers and scientists have proposed many different and sometimes conflicting theories about the same. In a broad sense, most of these theories of consciousness can be classified into two aspects; namely continuity vs discontinuity theories. Discontinuity theories propose that consciousness came about as a result of complexity within the physical or material when the physical reached to a certain level in evolution. Continuity theories propose that consciousness always is accompanied with some basic form within the physical / material and as matter evolves, consciousness also evolves into more complex forms like the human consciousness that we observe around us (Velmans 2007, 274).

The Complexity of Consciousness

In the case of consciousness, first, there are the necessary conditions for the existence of consciousness and then there are the conditions which are required to give rise to its many forms. Varied philosophers and scientists alike tend to confuse both of them together. Human consciousness seems to us to be more complex in terms of its brain dynamics and behavioural/social paradigms as compared to animal consciousness or other non-human species. Given this fact, it just seems reasonable for us to suppose that only humans have full human consciousness and at the same time it is reasonable for us to suppose that certain other non-human animals also tend to have a peculiar non-human form of consciousness (Velmans 2007, 275). Hence, as far as distribution of consciousness is concerned, Velmans argues that we should not take either of the extreme views (that only humans have consciousness or that consciousness is everywhere) forward.

Obviously, it can be the case that consciousness may be limited to those animals whose brains have achieved a greater level of complexity in terms of its mass and neuronal interactions. A complex experience requires a certain level of neural complexity within the brain of an organism which has evolved to a certain limit. The means needed to select, assimilate and disperse conscious information in the brain of humans need not necessarily be required within the simpler organisms that have simpler brains. For example, the visual system of a frog might just be structured in such a way so as to respond only to basic stimulus features which should be enough for its survival and it might not need the level of complexity of a human visual system for its survival. That does not mean by any standards that the frog does not see anything. Rather, it just means that this limited and highly basic form of conscious visual processing is all that is required for the frog’s survival. It is commonly understood that the evolution of what we call as human consciousness is linked to the evolution of the neo cortex within the human brain (Velmans 2007, 277). But still, whether it is something special about the structure of the neo cortex in itself or whether there is something unique about the nature of the cortical cells through which consciousness “emerges” is something which we have little evidence for.

Conclusion

Therefore, where should we place the coming about of consciousness within this whole evolutionary process of the universe? All of the discontinuity theorists ask this same question; as to when and what exactly “switched the lights on”? Some believe that consciousness “switched on” only for humans when the brain reached to a certain level of complexity in structure and a particular size. Certain others believed that it co-emerged along with the acquired ability to learn and respond to the environment in a way suitable for adaptation. On the other hand, the continuity theorists do not believe that consciousness emerged at a particular stage or time of evolution. In the so called “cosmic explosion” that gave rise to the universe, consciousness also emerged along with matter and also evolved along with it. As matter evolved into more complex and differentiated forms, consciousness also evolved along with it into being more complex or differentiated. Therefore for most of the continuity theorists who may also call themselves as Panpsychists, consciousness had always existed from the beginning. The emergence of consciousness is neither less nor more mysterious than the emergence of matter, time or space (Velmans 2007, 278).

Works Cited

1. Velmans, Max. 'Reflexive Monism.' Journal of Consciousness Studies, vol. 14, no. 9-10, 2007, pp. 269-292.