Related Stories
A debate over plant consciousness is forcing us to confront the limitations of the human mind
Key Excerpts from Article on Website of Quartz
Posted: June 10th, 2018
https://qz.com/1294941/a-debate-over-plant-consciousness-is-...
A debate over plant consciousness and intelligence has raged in scientific circles for well over a century - at least since Charles Darwin observed in 1880 that stressed-out flora cant rest. Biologists believe that plants communicate with one another, fungi, and animals by releasing chemicals via their roots, branches, and leaves. Plants also send seeds that supply information, working as data packets. They even sustain weak members of their own species by providing nutrients to their peers. They also have memories, and can learn from experience. But does any of this qualify as consciousness? The answer to that question seems to depend largely on ... how humans choose to define our conceptions of the self and intelligence. We believe that our experience of life is what defines consciousness. But there is some evidence that other modes of existence are equally complex, which suggests that other living things have arguably intelligent or conscious experiences. Evolutionary ecologist Monica Gagliano insists that plants are intelligent, and shes not speaking metaphorically. My work is not about metaphors at all, Gagliano tells Forbes. Gaglianos behavioral experiments on plants suggest that - while plants dont have a central nervous system or a brain - they behave like intelligent beings. Expanding definitions of consciousness and intelligence could mean admitting weve been limited in our worldview. What if everything around us is intelligent in its own way, and were just not smart enough to see it?
Note: Explore a treasure trove of concise summaries of incredibly inspiring news articles which will inspire you to make a difference.
Related Stories
Top Inspiring News Articles
Top Inspiring News Articles from Years Past
