In-Class Essay: Are Plants Conscious?
Context:
You have read about consciousness in humans (Nagel and Chalmers and PEterson) and learned about plant intelligence in AWARE, The Mother Tree Project, Pollen’s “Ted Talk”, and Entangled Life (Sheldrake).
Task:
Using ideas from Nagel and/or Chalmers, write an essay in which you explain whether you think plants are conscious or not.
In your essay:
● Start by explaining what consciousness means in your own words.
● Use at least one idea from Nagel or Chalmers to support your reasoning.
● Use examples from AWARE, The TED talk by Simard or Pollen, and/or Sheldrake to support your ideas.
● End by explaining your own opinion about what this tells us about what it means to be conscious.
Expectations:
● Write 3–4 paragraphs.
● Use specific examples from class materials (you can note the source in parentheses, like AWARE or Sheldrake).
● Keep your focus on explaining your reasoning clearly.
● USE YOUR TRANSITIONS
Helpful Starters:
● “According to Nagel, consciousness means …”
● “ In AWARE, scientists show that plants …”
● “ I think plants are / are not conscious because …”
● “This shows that consciousness might mean …”