In recent years, the concept of plant intelligence has gained prominence, inviting us to rethink our understanding of cognition beyond the animal kingdom. This talk will explore how technologies - from time-lapse photography to advanced electrophysiological recordings and imaging techniques such as MRI and PET scans of plants - are enabling us to interpret the complex behaviours and ‘intelligent’ actions of plants. However, with these exciting advances comes the need for critical reflection. This talk will thus also discuss the potential difficulties in studying plant intelligence, such as the risk of anthropomorphism - i.e. the projection of human-like characteristics onto plant behaviours observed using time-lapse imaging - and the danger of bias in experimental designs. By carefully considering these challenges, we can better understand the unique forms of perception and intelligence of plants without forcing them into a framework designed for humans or other animals.
Keynote: Paco Calvo
Input: • Ayenan Quinchoa Juajibioy, leader Pan-Amazon Collective, Colombia
Followed by a conversation moderated by Rasa Smite.
Chaired by Plants_Intelligence. Learning Like A Plant (Yvonne Volkart, Felipe Castelblanco, Julia Mensch, Rasa Smite).
Biography
Paco Calvo is a renowned cognitive scientist and philosopher of biology, known for his groundbreaking research in the field of plant cognition and intelligence. He is a professor at the University of Murcia in Spain, where he leads the Minimal Intelligence Lab (MINT Lab), focusing on the study of minimal cognition in plants. Calvo’s interdisciplinary work combines insights from biology, philosophy, and cognitive science to explore the fascinating world of plant behavior, decision-making, and problem-solving. By investigating the complex interactions and adaptive responses exhibited by plants, Paco Calvo has significantly contributed to our understanding of cognition beyond the animal kingdom, challenging conventional perspectives on intelligence and mental capacities.
Hosted by Plants_Intelligence, Learning Like a Plant (Yvonne Volkart, Felipe Castelblanco, Julia Mensch, Rasa Smite).
Funded by SNSF and hosted by Institute Art Gender Nature HGK Basel FHNW.