On the Coevolution of Cognition and Consciousness

Abstract

In this article it is argued that an evolutionary perspective leads to the view that adaptation and learning is a widespread and old property of living organisms, even as old as life itself. Cognition, defined as knowledge processing mediated by a centralised nervous system, is suggested mainly to be based on the same principles as non-neural adaptive processes. The emergence of conscious cognition, however, is seen as a major transition in the evolution of life, although it appears in different degrees and at various stages in evolution. Both cognition and consciousness depend on the organisation and complexity of the organism, primarily with regard to the nervous system. Computational and neurophysiological approaches are discussed, in particular some experimental attempts to determine anatomical, physiological and physical correlates to consciousness. It is argued that an evolutionary perspective suggests an interactionistic solution to the mind-brain problem, i.e. the question of subjective experience. In an interactionistic perspective consciousness can be understandable as a biological phenomenon. It can be regarded as a driving force in evolution, amplifying and improving the adaptive and cognitive processes of an organism.