The Folk Psychology of Consciousness*

Abstract

This paper proposes the 'AGENCY model' of conscious state attribution, according to which an entity's displaying certain relatively simple features (e.g. eyes, distinctive motions, interactive behavior) automatically triggers a disposition to attribute conscious states to that entity. To test the model's predictions, participants completed a speeded object/attribution task, in which they responded positively or negatively to attributions of mental properties (including conscious and non-conscious states) to different sorts of entities (insects, plants, artifacts, etc.). As predicted, participants responded positively to conscious state attributions only for those entities that typically display the simple features identified in the AGENCY model (eyes, distinctive motion, interaction) and took longer to deny conscious states to those entities.

Determinism and attributions of consciousness

“…Here we are interested in the reverse direction: whether manipulations of (aspects of) agency could impact judgments about consciousness. Arico et al (2011) present evidence that attributions of consciousness are sensitive to attributions of agency in the following two ways. First, "typically, if an entity is categorized as an 'agent,' then there will be an inclination for attributing conscious states to that entity" (Arico et al, 2011, p. 336).…”

“…Previous work provides evidence that explicit manipulation of an entity's consciousness influences how people understand an entity's agency (J. Shepherd, 2012Shepherd, , 2015Shepherd, , 2017b, and that manipulation of an entity's agentivity (via the presentation of clues aiding agency detection) implicitly influences attributions of consciousness (Arico et al, 2011). We wanted to know whether explicit manipulations of agentivity could influence explicit attributions of consciousness as well.…”

“…J. Shepherd (2012Shepherd ( , 2015Shepherd ( , 2017b has explored how consciousness impacts ascriptions of free and responsible agency, and Arico et al (2011) have explored the roles that agency-detection mechanisms play in attributions of consciousness. 1 In this paper, we aim to further explore folk psychological connections between agency and consciousness.…”

Is music conscious? The argument from motion, and other considerations.

“…We often anthropomorphize music as an independently functioning being, but stop short of thinking of music as actually conscious. Consciousness is mysterious -it is even a mystery what motivates us to ascribe consciousness to anything outside ourselves (Arico, Fiala, Goldberg & Nichols, 2011). Lloyd (2011Lloyd ( , 2013, interestingly, has shown that the dynamic-Creators of musical works -such as composers and improvisers -could understand more deeply and interpretively how pitches, rhythms and other musical elements behave in a work, by considering their consciousness (some analysts already do this to an extent).…”

Alexander, Joshua. Experimental Philosophy: An Introduction

“…He provides further reading (e.g.,Gray et al 2007;Knobe and Prinz 2008;Arico 2010;Huebner et al 2010;Sytsma and Machery 2010;Arico et al 2011). An undergraduate syllabus would want to add the work ofDoris (1998Doris ( , 2002,Haidt (2001) andGreene (2003Greene ( , 2008.…”