I think of consciousness as simple awareness. If you are self-aware, aware of your needs, etc., you are conscious. Of course, it can also mean awake.
I do think we can tell if other animals have consciousness. Sadness is a sure sign of being self aware and plenty of animals are known to express that.
I do not think consciousness is awareness of decision making or that it could possibly be that simple. Nonetheless, I assume many animals are aware of the decisions they make. I find animals helping other animals in their species and outside of their species to be proof positive of that. Why would a pod of dolphins protect a human being from a shark without awareness of the decision they were making? That would have to know that there is a possibility they can get hurt, hence the protective position to begin with. They would also have to know that they were protecting something. That is a lot of insight and insight such as that does not happen without the type of consciousness you speak of.
I do think we can tell if other animals have consciousness. Sadness is a sure sign of being self aware and plenty of animals are known to express that.
I do not think consciousness is awareness of decision making or that it could possibly be that simple. Nonetheless, I assume many animals are aware of the decisions they make. I find animals helping other animals in their species and outside of their species to be proof positive of that. Why would a pod of dolphins protect a human being from a shark without awareness of the decision they were making? That would have to know that there is a possibility they can get hurt, hence the protective position to begin with. They would also have to know that they were protecting something. That is a lot of insight and insight such as that does not happen without the type of consciousness you speak of.
