2023-10-27 11:00:05
The question of when and how consciousness emerges in infants is one of the most intriguing puzzles in the science of consciousness. There are two divergent perspectives on this subject. Some believe that consciousness develops late, requiring cognitive abilities that are not yet in place until the age of one. Others defend the notion that consciousness can emerge at birth, or even during the third trimester of pregnancy. A team of international researchers composed of neuroscientists, philosophers and psychologists from Monash University (Monash University is the largest university…), Tübingen (in Germany) and Minnesota, as well as that of Trinity College Dublin, has recently published their opinions (Anderlik-Varga-Iskola-Sport (Anderlik-Varga-Ecole-Sport) was used to designate a…) on the question, following new research in this domain.
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To provide a new perspective on understanding when consciousness first emerges, the team drew on recent studies that revealed that certain markers from brain imaging are able to reliably differentiate between presence and absence of consciousness. For the first time, an examination of these markers was carried out in infants to assess their possible consciousness. The results suggest that consciousness is likely to be in place from early childhood, or even before birth.
However, researchers emphasize that it is premature to provide a definitive answer to the question of when and in what form consciousness emerges in children. The main objective of this study was to present recent developments in a compelling framework that can stimulate discussion on this crucial topic. It is essential to note that the notion of consciousness involved here has more to do with “awareness” or “primary consciousness” than with more complex forms of consciousness.
These findings open important perspectives in the field of consciousness science, with potential implications for understanding infant and fetal consciousness. They also raise significant ethical and legal questions, particularly regarding the rights of infants and fetuses. This research highlights the complexity of consciousness and the continued need to ‘study this fascinating enigma to better understand the human experience from the earliest stages of life (Life is the name given :).
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