Consciousness Divide: Researchers Probe Evolutionary Roots of Awareness
Bochum, Germany – November 24, 2025 – A new inquiry from Ruhr University Bochum is tackling one of the most enduring mysteries in science: why did consciousness evolve in some animal species, while others appear to function without subjective experience? The research, published today, seeks to pinpoint the neurological and evolutionary factors that led to the emergence of awareness, a capability that fundamentally shapes how certain creatures interact with the world.
The question of consciousness isn’t merely academic. Understanding its origins could illuminate the neural basis of human experience, offering insights into conditions like coma and disorders of awareness. furthermore,it carries ethical implications for how we treat animals,influencing debates about animal rights and welfare. The study’s findings, researchers say, represent a crucial step toward building a complete framework for understanding the spectrum of consciousness across the animal kingdom and predicting where it might arise in the future.
Researchers are focusing on identifying key neurological features that correlate with consciousness. While a definitive “consciousness center” remains elusive, the team hypothesizes that the complexity of neural networks, notably those involved in integrating data from different sensory modalities, plays a critical role.Species with more sophisticated brain structures and greater capacity for internal modeling of the environment are more likely to exhibit conscious behaviour.
The investigation draws on comparative neuroanatomy, behavioral studies, and computational modeling to assess the level of consciousness in various species. By analyzing brain structures and observing how animals respond to stimuli, researchers aim to establish a set of neurological markers indicative of subjective experience. The team acknowledges the inherent difficulty in objectively measuring consciousness, but believes a multi-faceted approach will yield meaningful results.
The study was provided by Ruhr University Bochum.
Citation: Examining why some species developed consciousness while others remained non-conscious (2025,November 24) retrieved 24 November 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-11-species-consciousness-conscious.html. This document is subject to copyright and is intended for information purposes only.
