Animal Consciousness: Exploring Theoretical, Methodological and Ethical Issues

The study of animal consciousness is a burgeoning field that intersects various disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, ethology, philosophy, and ecology. Despite significant advancements, the understanding of consciousness in non-human animals remains a complex and debated topic. Current research has raised questions about the meaningfulness of the term "consciousness" when applied to animals, the methodological challenges in studying it, and the ethical implications of such research. Recent studies have provided insights into the neural correlates of consciousness, the contextual and task-dependent nature of animal awareness, and the evolutionary and ecological significance of consciousness in different species. However, there remains a substantial gap in comprehensively understanding how consciousness manifests across diverse animal taxa and the broader implications of these findings. Addressing these gaps is crucial for advancing our knowledge and fostering ethical considerations in the study of animal consciousness.

This research topic aims to explore the theoretical, methodological, and ethical issues surrounding animal consciousness. The primary objectives include examining the meaningfulness of the term "consciousness" in animals, identifying effective methodological approaches for its study, and understanding the ecological and evolutionary implications of consciousness. Additionally, the research will delve into the ethical considerations that arise from studying consciousness in non-human animals. By addressing these questions, the research aims to contribute to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of animal consciousness.

To gather further insights into the complexities of animal consciousness, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Meaningfulness of the term "consciousness" in animals
• Methodological approaches to studying consciousness in animals
• Contextual and task-dependence of animal consciousness
• Ecological significance of consciousness in animal species
• Evolutionary implications of consciousness in social systems
• Potential role of consciousness as an adaptation for reproductive fitness in social systems
• Exploration of how consciousness may have evolved as an optimization strategy in social contexts
• Neural correlates of animal consciousness
• Sentience and self-consciousness in animals
• Philosophical and ethical reflections linked to animal consciousness

By bringing together diverse perspectives and addressing these topics, this article collection aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on consciousness in animals and provide a platform for exciting and insightful research in this field. Researchers are encouraged to submit their innovative studies that advance our understanding of animal consciousness and its implications.

Keywords: animal consciousness, psychology, ethics, neural correlates, evolutionary significance

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.