Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

TagPaco Calvo

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Close-up of a green plant with sunlight illuminating the leaves on the right side of the image

Three Recent Books Argue for Consciousness in Plants

The award-winning environment journalist who reviews the books tackles the question, “If so, is it right to eat even plants?”
The idea that plants can "feel" things, based on their complex reactions, may stem from a misunderstanding of categories of consciousness. Read More ›
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Oak tree

Yes, Plants May Be Conscious Too, Says Researcher

Paco Calvo has authored many papers in respected journals; his view is another instance of panpsychism overtaking materialism in science

At one time, claims for animal consciousness and/or intelligence focused on, say, chimpanzees and dolphins, where the animals were enough like humans that what is meant by intelligence or consciousness was clear. Maybe not clear enough for a philosopher but clear enough for practical purposes. The octopus’s intelligence came as a bit of a surprise because it is an invertebrate. But these comparisons with mammals and birds showed that we were still talking about the same thing. We are now told in science publications that bees feel and think and that spiders dream. As science edges slowly toward panpsychism (all life forms participate in consciousness), we even learn — in science journals — that viruses are intelligent and cells are Read More ›