Plant Intelligence: Science, Philosophy, and Debate

The provided text explores the contentious field of plant intelligence, examining the historical progression and modern revival of the idea that plants exhibit cognitive abilities. It highlights the semantic debate surrounding terms like "intelligence," "neurobiology," and "consciousness" when applied to organisms without a central nervous system. The document then presents scientific arguments from both proponents and skeptics, showcasing evidence for plant memory, learning, communication, and decision-making while also offering alternative, mechanistic explanations based on phenotypic plasticity and hormonal responses. Finally, it analyzes the "Wood-Wide Web" as a case study, illustrating the differing interpretations of plant cooperation versus competition within fungal networks.

Research done with the help of artificial intelligence, and presented by two AI-generated hosts.