What is the nature of consciousness; how does it interface with material?

Question

Specifically, what physical processes in the brain--or wherever--are activated by consciousness? Furthermore, is there "more consciousness" in a human than in a "lower" life form? That is, does a dog have consciousness; if so, is it more consciousness filled than a lobster? Finally, does a human born without senses of any kind and who is never in contact with living things live in a state of consciousness: Does that person possess a "mind"?

Answer 1

The term "consciousness" can be used to indicate a state of being cognitively aware of one's environment (vs. being asleep or in a coma) or can also be used to indicate so called higher mental functions such as self awareness or sentience. In either case such consiciousness is physically medicated by bioelectrical activity of complex neural pathways in the brain. Nervous systems that have more complex pathways could be said to have a more developed consciousness, thus humans would be more developed than dogs, which are more developed than lobsters, etc. I am not aware of any studies on people who completely lack any senses, but people who have lacked at least some senses (sight and hearing, for instance), have the same degree of neural activity and apparent consciousness as people who have full use of their senses.

Answer 2

All creatures have a consciousness.even plants. were no better or worst when it comes to consciousness ,were all apart of the whole, a life force connects us all to a higher power ,we have much to learn. our minds or used very little in comparison to our potential,.other animals don't truly have the potential as we humans do, were al l a part of the whole which God in its wisdom preordained for us, our soul is eternal as is all of God creatures souls,,there's balance to it all we don't realize or understand now, but one day we might,questioning is Good, learning and growing in our minds hearts and souls,I wish you the best on your quest of knowledge and wisdom