What does it mean to be conscious?

Question

There are many arguments about what consciousness is. Descarte said "I think therefore I am" however, this statement does not prove consciousness or show what it is that makes us conscious. Scientists such as Daniel Dennett and Douglas Hofstadter believe that consciousness evolves from complex patterns of thought. Some believe that these patterns of thought require the ability to use language. Others have a more mystical interpretation going so far to say that consciousness is the one fundamental property of the universe. What are your beliefs?

Answer 1

there are many levels and kinds of consciousness.
depending on the individual

some people can be wide wake ,and have no clue as to what is going on

and others can be aware whilst they are half asleep.

it is not only intelligence ,
but also the Data what the brain has accumulated as well as the ability to use both the intelligence ,with the data ,which decides the quality of the consciousness of a person
and there are thousands of factors the can influence any of these concepts

Peer pressure,race,culture,point in time .location,present religion and politics ,education ,even food,gender,age,local and global events ,climate,anything that can be regarded as input has bearing on ones philosophy or attitude and opinion,

which collectively represents consciousness

Answer 2

Yes, virtually all religions state in some way that we are of God, or the universal consciousness, and that when we die, we return to God, divine intelligence, universal soul...there's so many names out there for the same thing.

I think you might understand Descarte's quote better if you look at it from another perspective. Many would argue that consciousness begins in the womb, others at birth. But the major concensus is that, once a fetus has developed enough, i.e. it has eyes, a mouth, etc., that it is then conscious, a living being. That is why most states ban abortion after the first tri-mester. The unborn child can sense, and think, and therefore is alive before it is born. So "I think therefore I am" could be interpreted to mean, "I can sense, and process that information, therefore I am."
That's my take on conciousness. It's our ability to exist in the material world, to live.

Answer 3

I would think it just means simply the connection to the human organism and the energy to where both can create an awareness of existence so that it can advance its survival. I would say between the scientist and the others that believe in a more mystical part, throw in the two together and create a balance of that information and that's were my belief would lay. If science is fact and Spiritual awareness is also there then both i think would have to partake in an answer. Spiritual is free growth. i think that helps form the fact into the awareness.

Answer 4

being conscious means absence of belief, that all you can get on that subject absence of human's common beliefs required absence of thoughts which imply presence of awareness..Awareness can't be defined only experienced. Being aware cannot be verbalized. Way to awareness can be articulated but it does not describe awareness itself, but leading to it. In a way to be aware Faith is required, notice, all scriptures mentioning Faith, not belief.Consciousness not of a mind, rather mind is of consciousness...Being conscious, aware, literally to be out of mind, where most of us found a shelter, rather embracing ones own mind where happening occur. Awareness is being aware of one own Being. The best I would put it.

Answer 5

Consciousness is the act of examining one's life.

Answer 6

To be aware of your surroundings, with the ability to react and understand your actions, responding to requests made of you with intelligence.

Answer 7

To be truly conscious is to be able to question ones place in the universe. Whatever the answer is, just to be able to contemplate it makes one conscious.

Answer 8

People who are conscious are aware of their surroundings.
They Know what is happening around them.You are just awake and aware.

Answer 9

Aware of thoughts.

Answer 10

Awareness - language is a good way to obscure awareness - see, cnvc.org -