In Newen and Montemayor’s evolutionary framework, basic arousal developed first. It’s like nature’s security alarm, warning the body of any dangers that may arise. Hunger, pain, thirst, fear, and ...

Take a moment and consider how you define mind relative to consciousness. In reflecting on questions such as: Can something have a mind, but not be conscious? Can something be conscious, but not have ...

It happens as often as 16% of our conscious lives: the mind simply goes blank. There is nothing inside, no verbal thinking, no mental images, nothing but the lack itself of mental processes.

Researchers across biology, philosophy, and AI are split on what counts as a mind—and whether today’s systems qualify.