# Everything and nothing is conscious: default assumptions in science and ethics

## TL;DR

This paper explores different assumptions about consciousness in science and ethics, suggesting that assuming consciousness by default may be beneficial.

## Contribution

The paper introduces and evaluates multiple default assumptions about consciousness, advocating for a default assumption of consciousness in various contexts.

## Key findings

- Different default assumptions about consciousness are suitable for different scientific and ethical contexts.
- A default assumption of consciousness may be scientifically and ethically advantageous in many situations.

## Abstract

Historically, scientists and philosophers have tended to assume that animals lack consciousness until evidence shows otherwise. Recently, however, some researchers have proposed reversing this assumption. Other options are available as well; for example, in addition to assuming that all animals are conscious, we can assume that all living beings are conscious, that all beings with nervous systems are conscious, that all beings with complex cognition are conscious, or even that all beings are conscious. I examine these options from scientific and ethical perspectives, showing that different default assumptions can be appropriate for different purposes and in different contexts. I also suggest that a default assumption of consciousness may often be best for both science and ethics.