Ω Consciousness

What is consciousness?

A definition of consciousness that perhaps comes closest to a human one is the ability to process a 3D reality and move within it in a dynamically adaptive manner. This does not refer to human consciousness or intelligence. It is merely a possible fundamental level at which consciousness might begin. 

According to this definition, how would consciousness develop within an organism, or what does consciousness consist of? 

An organism is composed of various organs, including barriers (e.g., skin, exoskeleton) that possess the properties of a permeable membrane. On this membrane and within a more complex organism, microorganisms (including in colonies) with completely different DNA live in symbiosis. The organs often have completely different activated DNA regions and thus different properties.

The sum of these corresponds to different “spaces” of consciousness, within which the respective consciousness attempts to adapt optimally to subjective realities. The brain or neural hub and the nervous system process and manage the signals transmitted by other cellular regions (organs and “symbiotic” regions). Decisions and reactions based on the strongest or subjectively most relevant impulses are prioritized for transmission and processing. 

Reactions are triggered by impulses, and the repetition of impulses or a sustained impulse forces adaptation or, respectively, prevents further development or adaptation at that point. 

How do we measure consciousness?

To be able to measure consciousness requires a definition of consciousness itself. Is consciousness a purely human trait? Does consciousness mean being able to perceive one’s surroundings and react to them? Or does the definition of consciousness require the ability to recognize oneself? To perceive oneself and process more than just the surroundings. For if it were sufficient to recognize the surroundings, light barriers would possess consciousness. 

What is the smallest unit of consciousness when one wishes to measure consciousness? 

The smallest unit of consciousness must lie between simple reaction and “recognition” or be the first possible combination of simple recognition and simple reaction. 

How is recognition defined?

 Recognition means being able to classify or identify a pattern or structure in order to be able to react to it. The reaction would correspond to an adaptation designed to optimally align one’s own “structure” or “pattern” with what has been “recognized.” 

This “mechanism” could represent the first or smallest unit of consciousness. Just enough to be able to adapt relatively quickly and dynamically within a limited yet regularly and slightly changing environment.

Cells would then no longer necessarily differ only by their DNA, but by the environment to which they have adapted or had to adapt. They all process different stimuli. 

The second, larger unit of consciousness would be a combination of two different pattern recognitions and the resulting possible reactions. DNA would then also serve as a pattern recognition database, enabling a more complex and thus predictive analysis of the environment. 

To put it simply: 

The pattern does not merely recognize whether the next pattern fits or not; it begins to identify other possibilities that could lead to further optimization and expansion of adaptation. 

Single-celled organisms form symbiotic relationships to optimize each other and enhance their adaptive capabilities. More complex DNA arises as a result of symbiosis or the simplification/combination of different possible adaptations within a cell. Originally, there were two distinct cells. This would gradually enable more complex organisms.

More complex organisms thus inevitably enable more complex options for recognizing patterns, understanding them, and responding to them in complex ways. 

As perception becomes increasingly complex, the “probability” that consciousness recognizes and understands itself also increases, thereby achieving a further level of insight or perception. 

Consciousness is an emergent pattern-recognition network that arises from communicating cells, which themselves use proteins as tools for communication.