How Far is the Extent of True Consciousness?

One of the most mind-boggling topics in the realm of cognitive science, to me at least, is consciousness and the enigma of self-awareness.  Last winter, my dad’s cousin came to stay with us for a few days with his wife and baby son, “Crash”.  Crash was about 18 months old, and he was figuring out he fit into the world.  Watching him touch, taste, and throw everything made me wonder about how learns about himself and gains his consciousness.

Consciousness, by definition, is our inner experience – the sum of our thoughts, perceptions, and emotions.  It's what allows us to perceive the world around us and to be aware of our own existence.  Be cognizant for a moment – you're not just experiencing life; you're aware that you're experiencing it.

Despite many generations of philosophical thought and research, we, as a society, are still extremely far from unraveling the full extent of consciousness.  Some theorists suggest that it arises from the complexity of our brains, while others argue for more abstract and philosophical interpretations.  It's like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing and no idea what the picture on the box looks like.

In a perspective targeted more directly toward cognitive science, consciousness and self-awareness can shed light on everything from the human condition to our place in the universe.  It bridges science and philosophy, challenging us to explore the very essence of what it means to be alive and aware.  Consciousness and self-awareness seem to be at the nexus of what makes us human, but are we unique in that regard among the animals?  And when does self-awareness start?  Watching Crash, I concluded that we develop it sometime after we’re born, so is it innate or learned? 

In conclusion, consciousness and self-awareness seem like the outer space of human understanding. We know that there’s something there, but we’ve got a lot of exploring and observation left to figure it out.