What Good Is Consciousness?

Consciousness likely emerged during evolution, but its functional role remains unclear. Subliminal priming experiments, which compare conscious and nonconscious processing, show only small, hard-to-replicate effects, and even when functions can operate nonconsciously, consciousness may be needed for them to work fully. New experimental methods that produce strong nonconscious signals are needed. Current evidence suggests consciousness may be less useful than global theories propose; metacognition may be one of the few specific functions to which consciousness contributes.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Most of us agree that consciousness emerged at some time through our evolutionary history. Many also find probable that it is a relatively recent invention; simple organisms like bacteria are presumably not conscious. However, evolution is a long and complex process. Consciousness could have evolved mostly as a byproduct or for reasons that we do not intuitively expect. So, what good is consciousness? To answer the question, we need new experimental methods, beyond subliminal priming. That is because subliminal priming tends to only show small effects, which are often difficult to replicate. And then logically, even if some functions can be exercised nonconsciously, it could be that consciousness is required for these functions to work at their full capacity. So we need methods that can give us strong nonconscious signals. With these methods, current evidence suggests that consciousness may not be as useful as global theories suggest. Metacognition may be one of the few specific functions to which consciousness contributes.