Are plants cognitive? A reply to Adams | Plant Consciousness Commentary

Are plants cognitive? A reply to Adams

According to F. Adams, cognition cannot be realized in plants or bacteria. In his view, plants and bacteria respond to the here-and-now in a hardwired, inflexible manner, and are therefore incapable of cognitive activity. 

This article takes issue with the pursuit of plant cognition from the perspective of an empirically informed philosophy of plant neurobiology. 

In this edition of Live Plant Intelligence Commentary, we continue our exploration into plant neurobiology, plant cognition, and the birth of the plant humanities by discussing whether Adams’ thoughts on cognition are valid or if instead he is missing the big picture.

According to F. Adams, cognition cannot be realized in plants or bacteria. In his view, plants and bacteria respond to the here-and-now in a hardwired, inflexible manner, and are therefore incapable of cognitive activity. 

This article takes issue with the pursuit of plant cognition from the perspective of an empirically informed philosophy of plant neurobiology. 

In this edition of Live Plant Intelligence Commentary, we continue our exploration into plant neurobiology, plant cognition, and the birth of the plant humanities by discussing whether Adams’ thoughts on cognition are valid or if instead he is missing the big picture.

It turns out, we’ve been discussing plant intelligence for much longer than I thought! We take a journey back to 1870 to explore “Have Plants Intelligence?” through the lens of Emily Dickinson and the leading botanic theorists of the time. Truly fascinating!

Comment along as you listen. What do you think about Adams’ beliefs and Calvo and Segundo-Ortin’s responses? Could the political fears around accepting plants as intelligence outlined in the 19th century be the core reason why today we think of plants as objects?

Discover this paper about plant intelligence:

Part 1 | Part 2

LIVE Plant Consciousness Commentary every Friday

Where we explore all things plant neurobiology, plant cognition, plant intelligence, plant humanities, and the birth of critical plant studies through the lens of personal evolution. Livestreams are every Friday in the Naturally Conscious Community.

Be a part of the conversation in the Naturally Conscious Community

Let’s talk more in the only online ecosystem that nourishes plant reawakening for enhanced evolution and collaboration with our plant friends. Connect with nature-conscious creatives, multipotentialites, and naturentrepreneurs who share your desire to see beauty in the world. >> JOIN OUR COMMUNITY <<


Get to Know Me, Tigrilla Gardenia

WORKING TOGETHER:

COURSES and PROGRAMS:

Memberships:

Looking for a mentor/coach to help you confidently embody a Naturally Conscious Life? Book a discovery call here, and let’s discuss how I can support you.


View the paper here

Segundo-Ortin, Miguel, and Paco Calvo. “Are Plants Cognitive? A Reply to Adams.” Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 73 (2018): 64–71. Web.

Kuhn, Mary. “A Wiser Sympathy , How Emily Dickinson, scientists, and other writers theorized plant intelligence in the nineteenth century.” Excerpted from The Garden Politic: Global Plants and Botanical Nationalism in Nineteenth-Century America.

If you have a paper, essay, article, or video you would like me to comment on, send it to me!

Share this post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.