Hierarchy of Consciousness

Throughout the annals of human history, we tend to assume that our intelligence is unparalleled in the animal kingdom. While other creatures may possess superior physical attributes such as strength, speed, or endurance, we have always considered ourselves to possess a superior intellect. After all, we have language, we use tools, we create and destroy, and no other animal seems capable of these feats. However, in our quest for intellectual superiority, we have often neglected to acknowledge our humble beginnings, as we all evolved from the same primordial organisms.

There exists a hierarchy of consciousness and thought that correlates with an organism's environment and its ability to survive. An animal's survival instincts are its top priority before engaging in other mindsets such as those that prioritize empathy. This hierarchy of consciousness, similar to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, determines the level of consciousness an organism can experience, depending on how comfortably it can live. The more comfortably an animal can live, the higher the level of consciousness it can attain. As humans, we have evolved to a point where we can experience a heightened level of consciousness thanks to our comfortable existence. While animals that struggle to find food or mates have little capacity for complex emotions, we humans are afforded the luxury of being able to think about things that have little to do with our own survival. We can contemplate the survival of others, express ourselves creatively, and ponder the mysteries of our origins and the origins of the world around us. However, does this mean that we are the only animals intelligent enough to experience this level of consciousness? It’s certainly possible, but it is equally possible that we are simply the first to attain this level, and that the other animals on Earth are beginning to (or have the capability to) catch up.

Arbitrary chaos and disorder has been the closest thing to a creator that we can look up to since the dawn of time. Randomness led to the big bang, the formation and position of our solar system, and an ineffable number of factors that ultimately allowed Earth to support life. Chaos and disorder continue to be the conductors to the symphony of life, shaping the destiny of all living beings.

Let us imagine a new and as-yet-unnamed species, one that begins at the lowest level of consciousness: pure instinct. This animal acts solely on the natural instincts granted to it by its ancestors through billions of years of evolution. Every living creature possesses an innate desire to survive and a basic understanding of how to achieve that survival based on the trial and error of any and all preceding creatures. However, at the instinctual level of consciousness, animals do not necessarily act out of will or personal preference; they rely on those dependable methods of survival passed down by their ancestors. They are able to act in favor of their survival with little to no deliberate thought. This is the essence of instinct. As this new species continues to survive, generations will come and go, and their mindset will remain largely unchanged for a very long time- they will remain on this level of consciousness.

But as our species continues to evolve, their environment will change as well. Even though we might not see it, our world and all of its life is constantly changing in response to itself. The species will begin to adapt to the changing environment and develop new behaviors to ensure survival. This will usually require a higher level of consciousness, a level where they can learn, remember, and apply new behaviors. This level of consciousness is called the cognitive level. Animals at this level are able to use their past experiences to make decisions in the present. They are able to learn from their mistakes and adjust their behavior accordingly. This is essential for survival in an ever-changing environment. This change in consciousness will lead to an increase in this species’ life expectancy, which will give it more time to think. Suddenly this creature has more time on its hands- it doesn’t have to use every second of its life trying to prolong it. It can focus more on building relationships or pursuing desires that go beyond not wanting to die. The cognitive level of consciousness is where most animals on Earth linger, including us.

As we continue to ponder the limits of animal intelligence, it is worth noting that our own understanding of what it means to be intelligent is constantly evolving. We may have once believed that intelligence was almost solely measured by an individual's ability to problem-solve, but as we learn more about the intricacies of social intelligence and emotional intelligence, we are forced to expand our definition of what it means to be intelligent. Moreover, our perception of animal intelligence is limited by our own biases and cultural norms. We have a tendency to view intelligence through a human-centric lens, valuing traits and abilities that we believe are essential to our own success and survival, but may prove futile in other animals. This narrow perspective has led us to overlook or undervalue the intelligence of animals who possess different strengths and abilities than we do.

For example, consider the intelligence of certain bird species, such as crows and ravens. These birds have been shown to possess remarkable problem-solving abilities, tool use, and social cognition. They are able to use tools to extract food from hard-to-reach places, recognize individual humans and remember their faces, and even engage in playful behavior. Yet, due to our cultural biases, we may overlook these traits as "less important" or "less intelligent" than the traits that we value in ourselves.

The minds of apes and monkeys are especially fascinating, mainly because they’re so similar to us. We’re actually able to see their ascension of the Consciousness Hierarchy in real time. For example, comparable to early humans, chimpanzees (both in the wild and in captivity) have begun using tools and weapons to acquire more sustainable food, they’ve begun practicing rituals that emulate the foundation of religion, and, unfortunately, they’ve begun waging war on eachother; wars that are much more sophisticated and organized than one would expect from them. So how much more intelligent can we really be than these animals? We may know more things than they do, but it seems that their ability to process information and act accordingly is on parr with our own. As we continue to explore the mysteries of animal intelligence, we must remain open-minded and curious, constantly challenging our own assumptions and biases. Only by doing so can we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the complex and fascinating world of animal cognition.

Let us now consider a hypothetical level of consciousness that transcends the human experience. At this level, beings would possess an even greater awareness and understanding of the universe and their place within it. They may have evolved beyond the limitations of our physical bodies and into a more abstract state of existence. Beings would have a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. They would no longer see themselves as separate entities, but as a part of a greater whole. Their consciousness may expand beyond the confines of time and space, allowing them to see the universe in its entirety. They could possess an innate understanding of the laws of the universe, and would be able to manipulate them to their will. This level of consciousness may be difficult for us to fathom, as it would require us to let go of our current understanding of reality and embrace a new way of thinking (which is something humans don’t seem too fond of).

This level of consciousness may seem like science fiction, but it is possible that it exists, or could exist, in the universe. We must remember that our current level of consciousness was likely thought to be impossible to achieve by our ancestors (if they themselves could even comprehend it), and yet here we are. In the grand theater of existence, the hierarchy of consciousness unfurls its intricate script, guiding us from primal instinct to cosmic contemplation. As we tread this labyrinthine path, we find ourselves at the crossroads of evolution and possibility. The echoes of animal intelligence, the rhythm of cognitive ascent, and the tantalizing prospect of transcendent understanding form a tapestry woven with threads of curiosity and wonder.

While we marvel at the ingenuity of fellow beings, like the avian architects of tools or the kinship we share with apes, we are reminded that the saga of consciousness knows no boundaries. It extends beyond our realm, daring us to imagine beings whose wisdom resonates with the cosmos, beings who navigate the fabric of existence itself. This progression whispers to us that our ascent through the hierarchy may be but a single stanza in an eternal song of discovery.

So, as we conclude this chapter of exploration, let us be humble in our assumptions and audacious in our inquiries. Let us keep our eyes fixed on the expanse of the unknown, where each step is a melody, and every curiosity a note. For the hierarchy of consciousness beckons us to ascend, to dream, and to unravel the enigma of existence, one revelation at a time.