Help me solidify a thought please.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

1.So we can use our consciousness to act differently than our consciouness would

You're asking for an opinion on the free will/determinism dichotomy? COULD we act differently? I believe probably not,but no one knows. I've dealt with my position on this matter in another thread. I feel I'm a free agent at a visceral level,but intellectually ,my reason tells me that this is an illusion. Humans generally and individually are predictable most of the time. OR can we act against conscience? Of course,we do it all the time. We then use religion/ morality/expedience/the greater good to justify the most appalling behaviour. (Iraq for example)

Cicero observed that in war the law is ignored. I'd go so far as to say this is the case for most of us when we become sufficiently terrified,lustful or greedy.

2. Can you distinguish between the definition of something and it's value through discernment? How do you do that?

I know I've changed my views on things,but don't know if it's through discernment. EG Now an agnostic atheist, I was,brought up devout Catholic. I no longer believe in god(s) nor do I believe that the Abrahamic god with his ascribed attributes can even be discussed in any meaningful way..After reading Marx I came to believe one of out basic concepts is untrue.IE we believe objects have an intrinsic value; they don't. Is this the kind of thing you mean?