%0 Journal Article %T Sensing, feeling and consciousness. %A Damasio A %A Damasio H %J Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci %V 379 %N 1908 %D 2024 Aug 26 %M 39005039 %F 6.671 %R 10.1098/rstb.2023.0243 %X Living organisms achieve homeostasis by using distinct mechanisms tailored to their physiological complexity. Unicellular organisms as well as plants, which are devoid of nervous systems, rely on covert sensing/detecting and equally covert responding mechanisms. Organisms with nervous systems rely on overt consciousness which is based on homeostatic feelings and the experiences and consequent subjectivity they generate. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience'.