[Listen to the audio version by using the player below.]

What is consciousness really? Is it merely the function of the brain that has its origins in the organic processes of that organ? Is there something spiritual about the nature of consciousness? If so, how do we characterize the awareness of the less advanced creatures – our faithful pets, foraging animals in search of their next meal? Is consciousness meted out according to the size of our brain, or is there some other factor to consider? There are apparent differences in how consciousness is expressed by creatures of earth and similarities too. And if intelligence is a metric used to characterize consciousness, humans sit atop the ranking – for now.

One expression of consciousness is the ability to think and reason, take in information, evaluate it with the aid of our accumulated experience and knowledge, and decide a course of action. Other creatures are also capable of reasoning on some level which has helped them navigate the pathways of evolution. However, Man is believed to be the only creature with the ability to think abstractly – to ponder and consider possibilities; in a word, to imagine. Why is this so?

Imagination and curiosity are among the most significant attributes of our humanness. To be curious, think abstractly, and imagine set us apart from other creatures and lead us to places beyond ourselves, into art, exploration, and compassion. Absent these aspects of our consciousness, we are earth-bound, unable to touch the stars.

To see curiosity and imagination in full bloom, one needs only to watch a child explore life. At some point, we’ve all witnessed a child in the process of discovery, propelled by its curiosity. And I imagine that when we’ve seen that experience, it brought forth a smile of recognition and remembrance. We, too, once looked at the world in awe. As we mature and set aside our childhood, the press of life can turn our attention to the mundane – the hunting and gathering necessary to maintain our existence. We hardly take notice as a falling star skips across the night sky or as a young, fresh-faced student finds her voice in citizenship. Yet, to be true to our humanness is to be aware, and as a small child in the process of discovery, stand in awe of the world and curious about why we are here.

*****

Kevin Deeny