C. Lloyd Morgan

C. Lloyd Morgan was a British psychologist and philosopher known for his work in evolutionary theory and animal behavior. He proposed the principle of "Morgan's Canon," which cautions against attributing complex mental processes to animals when simpler explanations suffice. In the context of emergentism, he suggested that higher-order mental states arise from simpler, underlying processes but are not mere byproducts. While sometimes associated with epiphenomenalism—the idea that mental states do not influence physical actions—Morgan emphasized that complex behaviors could not solely be reduced to simpler elements, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of consciousness and behavior.