This is not another article about someone brooding and wondering if they are the only conscious person while everyone else is just a mindless bot. I believe most humans, at some stage in their life, have had these thoughts. Even though it’s impossible to get into another person’s head to verify this, we can often say we feel a profound connection with certain people, knowing they are not mindless bots acting for our entertainment.

Consciousness in humans and animals

The definition of consciousness itself is heavily debated and controversial but despite the lack of a general consensus, there is a broadly shared underlying intuition about what consciousness is;

Consciousness is simply the awareness of your body and your environment; your individual awareness of your unique thoughts, memories, feelings, sensations, and environments.

So if you are aware that you are alive and you can see your environment and react accordingly based on your personal experience or evolved Intuition, then you are conscious.

For thousands of years, religious believers, scientists, and philosophers all agreed that what made humans special from other animals was our consciousness. It was widely agreed upon that animals are not conscious which implies that they don’t feel, they are soulless, and their life has no value, therefore harming and eating them can’t be morally wrong.

Fortunately, In the 21st century, debates about animal consciousness have moved from the question of whether any non-human animals are conscious to questions like which animals are conscious and how advanced their consciousness are.

Consciousness –– the human’s secret sauce.

Cognitive bias in animals is a pattern of deviation in judgment, whereby inferences about other animals and situations may be drawn in an illogical fashion. Individuals create their own "subjective social reality" from their perception of the input

It is not to be confused with consciousness in the sense of qualia. While consciousness is being aware of one's environment, body and lifestyle. self-awareness is the recognition of that awareness.

So if animals are also conscious, then what makes humans so special and why have we been able to rule over the animals? The crucial element for humans’ drastic advancement is self-awareness.

Self-awareness

Self-awareness is the ability to reflect on one's thoughts, feelings, and actions, and to understand how they relate to the world around us. With self-awareness, people can also recognize their own biases and limitations, allowing them to overcome them and improve their decision-making.

A good example of self-awareness is someone who is feeling stressed and overwhelmed at work, they take a step back to reflect on their emotions. They realize that they are feeling stressed because they have a lot of deadlines approaching and they feel like they are not making progress on their tasks; this realization allows the individual to identify the source of their stress and to take necessary steps to address them –– steps like re-organizing their work schedule, delegating tasks, or asking for help.

Another example of self-awareness is when an individual recognizes their own biases and prejudices. For example, a person may realize that they have a tendency to stereotype people based on their race or gender. By becoming aware of this bias, the individual can take steps to overcome it, such as actively seeking out diverse perspectives and challenging their assumptions.

Is everyone self-aware?

There are arguments that some humans are not conscious at all, that they are mere beings that are physically identical to and indistinguishable from a normal person but do not have conscious experience, qualia, or sentience. For example, if such beings were poked with a sharp object, they wouldn’t inwardly feel any pain, yet they would outwardly behave exactly as if they did feel pain, including verbally expressing pain. A famous Australian philosopher and cognitive scientist “David John Chalmers” refers to such people as Zombies. David John explored the concept, delving into the possibility that some humans may outwardly behave as if they experience pain or emotions but lack an inward subjective experience of these phenomena.

René Descartes, a philosopher from the 17th century, also introduced the idea of the "automaton" in his famous work "Meditations on First Philosophy." Descartes argued that some people can act like machines; they can move and talk, but they lack consciousness, and they are not aware of their existence.

However, no evidence proves that some humans are not conscious or self-aware and it’s important to know that self-awareness/consciousness is not a binary state, it’s a spectrum. Some people may have a higher level of self-awareness than others, and some individuals may have difficulty with self-awareness due to certain neurological or psychological conditions.

The machines

According to Harvard professor Gerald Zaltman, “95% of our decision-making takes place in the subconscious mind”, this means an average person does not get to actively decide 95% of the things they say, think, clothes they wear, what to like, what to hate, what to believe in, etc. So to a great extent, humans are not logical creatures, we are bristled with emotions, and prejudice and motivated by pride and vanity.

If an average person is only aware of ~5% of the decisions they make, then it’s pretty easy for the lower end of the self-awareness spectrum to be almost automated. People on the lower end will barely have any thoughts of their own, this doesn’t mean they don’t think instead it means they do not reflect on their thoughts, and the decisions they arrive at will have been heavily influenced by others.

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” ― C.G. Jung

With how much technology and social media have been integrated into all our daily lives, a lot of human opinion formation happens on the internet, and having a different opinion can get you cancelled or be cussed out.

Also, it’s easier to just let others make decisions for you, Daniel Kahneman talked about this in his book “Thinking Fast and Slow”. The book explores the dual-process theory of the mind, which posits that there are two distinct ways of thinking, he called them system 1 and system 2.

System 1 thinking is fast, automatic, and unconscious with little or no effort and no sense of voluntary control. An example of this is when you are driving along a route you are familiar with, such as your daily commute, you often slip into a state of autopilot. Your actions become automatic, and you navigate the familiar roads effortlessly.

While "System 2" thinking is slower, more deliberate, logical and conscious. An example of this is when you are buying a new car. This decision involves careful evaluation of various factors such as price, features, reliability, and personal preferences. Engaging System 2 thinking, you would deliberate on the pros and cons, conduct research, compare options, and make a conscious, well-informed decision based on logical analysis.

Unfortunately, many humans find themselves operating primarily in system 1, the lower end of consciousness where quick judgments and snap decisions prevail, influenced by biases and cognitive shortcuts.

Living on the Lower End of Consciousness

Living on the lower end is a state where one's actions and decisions are heavily influenced by external factors and the information they consume. In this state, individuals may lack a deep understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and motivations, and may find themselves easily swayed by the opinions and beliefs of others.

Self-awareness plays a significant role in navigating the higher end of the consciousness spectrum. It empowers individuals to recognise their biases, limitations, and personal growth areas. By acknowledging and understanding their own patterns of thinking and behaviour, individuals can make more informed decisions and improve their overall well-being.

Developing self-awareness is a lifelong journey that requires practice and self-reflection. It may come naturally to some individuals, while others may need to invest more effort and time. Engaging in activities such as journaling, meditation, and seeking feedback from trusted individuals can aid in the cultivation of self-awareness.

In this context, it becomes crucial to recognise the significance of individuality and independent thinking. As musician John Lennon wisely noted, "You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are!" Each person has the capacity for self-discovery and the development of their unique thoughts and perspectives. Embracing this individuality can lead to personal growth, fulfilment, and a more meaningful engagement with the world.

Conclusion

While consciousness is a spectrum, it is evident that living on the lower end of consciousness can result in a diminished sense of self-awareness and independence. However, it is essential to recognise that self-awareness is not a fixed state, but rather a skill that can be cultivated over time. By encouraging critical thinking, promoting diverse perspectives, and fostering an environment that values individuality, we can help individuals on the lower end of consciousness develop their self-awareness and unlock their true potential. Only then can we collectively move towards a society where each individual's conscious experience is acknowledged and respected.