TAMING of the abrupt emergence

This paper offers a scientifically informed reconstruction of the continuity argument in support of a modest version of a loosely panpsychist tenet: the continuity of mind. This approach does so by engaging with two closely connected recent proposals: the problem of the abruptness of the emergence of consciousness in the context of Dennett’s account of the emergence of comprehension from competence and Levin’s “technological approach to minds everywhere” (TAME), which illustrates how to reconstruct the continuity argument and to address the issue of abrupt emergence. The stance put forth advocates a view that holds its ground within an evolutionary narrative of consciousness. In conclusion, our proposal (i) aligns with the notion of smooth gradualism in the process of consciousness genesis and (ii) recognises the presence of diverse instances of collective intelligence throughout the evolutionary trajectory. Thus, the proposal remains valid irrespective of whether evolutionary progression occurred through natural selection or through alternative methods, such as designed or artefactual means, as in TAME.