Abstract
This study presents for the first time a stepwise explanation of the origin of emotions and consciousness based on well-known biological and cognitive processes. Unicellular organisms respond directly to stimuli. In contrast, the cells of a multicellular organism are exposed to different stimuli to varying degrees, so their reactions often differ. Cells must coordinate with each other their homeostasis-maintaining reactions through chemical signals. The combination of homeostatic signals from individual cells creates a subjective and differentiated evaluation of the state of a multicellular organism as primary emotions. Through anticipatory reactions and associative learning, this allowed organisms to evolve from automatic responses to optimizing behavior based on competing motives and active orientation. Thus, consciousness arose as a function of intercellular communication, and it attained its subjective form by integrating a multicellular organism into a single subject.
