Todd E. Feinberg and Jon M. Mallet

The article explains that consciousness evolved gradually, not suddenly, beginning with simple life forms. Early organisms developed a basic sense of self vs environment, forming the roots of subjectivity. With multicellular life, nervous systems enabled faster communication and reflex-based behavior. Consciousness likely emerged during the Cambrian explosion, driven by predator-prey adaptation and improved sensory systems like vision. Over time, higher functions such as memory, self-awareness, and reflection developed. Ultimately, consciousness provides adaptive advantages by integrating sensory data, enabling prediction, flexible behavior, and better survival decisions.