Consciousness Beyond Brains: Minds in Plants and Slime Molds

The piece argues that consciousness may extend beyond brains, challenging the brain-centered view of mind. It highlights research (e.g., MINT Lab) that designs experiments not based on human cognition to distinguish genuine experience from mere reaction, and it discusses the Hard Problem's debates. The author suggests sentience could arise in diverse substrates—plants, slime molds, and other life—not just animals with brains, calling for a broader, less anthropocentric approach to understanding mind.