Why are we conscious? What is its function?

Answer 1

We are conscious because our nervous system works.
The seat of consciousness lies in the brain stem. Consciousness enables us to receive the stimuli of various kinds and act accordingly.It has higher order whereby we think of the past, present and future.

Answer 2

I "think" (ha ha) it's an evolution thing. Consciousness means better decision capability. A capability necessary to learn and observe patterns in animal movement and behavior. This made us better hunters and trappers. The more animal meat we took in, the higher amounts of protein, and the larger our brains became after succeeding generations due to the continued protein intake. However, consciousness doesn't always mean the correct decision, only the ability for decision.

Answer 3

Consciousness enables us to make and execute complex plans based on predictions of how those plans will go.

We are conscious because have sufficient complexity to understand ourselves. Many simpler lifeforms do not have this ability. An ant isn't aware of itself, it simply operates on instinct.

In the words of Carl Sagan, "Life is a way for the cosmos to know itself".

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness