Scientists propose radical new theory of consciousness – and claim it doesn't depend on flesh and blood

A groundbreaking theory put forward by researchers suggests that conscious experience may not be limited to biological organisms made of flesh and blood.

Professor Eric Schwitzgebel from the University of California and Dr Jeremy Pober of the University of Lisbon have developed what they call the 'Copernican Principle of Consciousness'.

Their proposal argues that awareness is not an exclusive trait belonging only to humans and creatures sharing our biological makeup.

"The universe may contain minds stranger than we can imagine," Professor Schwitzgebel says.

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The theory carries profound consequences for humanity's hunt for intelligent life beyond Earth, as conscious extraterrestrials might bear no resemblance to familiar lifeforms.

Scientists and philosophers have long debated whether consciousness is "substrate flexible", meaning it could emerge from many different types of systems, much like a cup can be fashioned from glass or plastic.

Some researchers have recently argued the opposite, claiming conscious experience can only develop within highly specific biological systems resembling those found on Earth.

The new theory takes its name from astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, who demonstrated that our planet does not occupy a privileged position at the universe's centre.

"The spirit of the Copernican Principle is: we should believe that we as humans are special when we have evidence that says so, but not when we don't," Dr Pober explains.

Applying this principle to consciousness eliminates any justification for believing awareness depends on biological matter, Dr Pober argues.

This dramatically widens the spectrum of potential lifeforms throughout the cosmos that might possess conscious experiences.

The researchers calculate that even if advanced civilisations emerged in merely one galaxy per billion, more than 1,000 such societies would still exist scattered across time and space.

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Dr Pober told the Daily Mail that extraterrestrial beings could differ from humans at both "high level" functional architecture and at the "much lower level" of basic biochemistry.

Astrobiologists have demonstrated that carbon-based organisms with substantially different biochemical compositions from terrestrial life remain entirely possible.

Despite their collaboration, Professor Schwitzgebel and Dr Pober hold differing views on what their theory means for artificial intelligence.

Dr Pober remains cautious about extending consciousness too broadly, noting there is "good reason to think some aliens with biochemistries are conscious."

However, Professor Schwitzgebel advocates for greater openness regarding which systems might possess awareness.

Once the requirement for human biology is discarded, he contends, it becomes increasingly difficult to exclude silicon-based systems purely on the basis of their material composition.

Professor Schwitzgebel suggests philosophers have "focused too much on whether silicon can duplicate a human brain and not enough on the broader question of what kinds of systems can be conscious."

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