In every discipline, consciousness is of foremost importance—psychology, for instance, gives absolute importance to it. According to psychology, consciousness is the only major feature that distinguishes human beings from others. What is that one thing that is found in humans but is lacking in animals and other kingdoms? Of course, it is consciousness.
The fact that we can ‘feel’ and perceive something makes us humans. That is why psychologists recommend constantly looking after one’s consciousness for a healthy life. They even go to the extent of saying that your consciousness determines the quality of your life.
Practically speaking, consciousness simply means that you are aware of what is happening inside of you. This could mean one of these things:
- How do you feel about yourself?
- What is the value that you put on yourself? In other words, how much do you care about your self-esteem?
- How about your habits? Do you develop them in your consciousness? Or, you develop a habit without even noticing.
So, these are some of the internal matters that determine your consciousness. On the flip side, there is an external factor as well. How you react to external matters determines your consciousness. Here are some examples of the external factor of consciousness:
- What makes you angry?
- Why do you feel happy, and what makes you upset?
- How do you react when you are angry or down?
Frankly, consciousness constitutes our entire being. We are nothing more or less than conscious creatures.
Here is what science has to say about consciousness:
- Consciousness is Irrelevant
In science, there are two opposing perspectives about consciousness. The foremost among them is the notion that consciousness is irrelevant. Here is what a vast majority of scientists believe:
If you happen to be in a war, the only thing you will care about is survival. Suppose a bomb drops right in front of you. What will be your first reaction? Of course, you will run away to save your life. In your subconscious mind, you already know what a bomb does. So, you do not think of its feelings anymore. All you are concerned with is what it does.
Thus, this school of thought believes that consciousness is irrelevant.
- Consciousness is Extremely Important
Another school of thought shares the perspective that consciousness is extremely important. For these scientists, consciousness is the only thing that makes us humans. We can feel something, and it is the most incredible thing.
Another argument that these scientists put forwards is that human beings are passionate and empathetic. And none of these two are possible without a proactive consciousness. If you are not aware of what is happening inside and outside of you, you can not be of any good – neither for yourself nor society.
