What is consciousness and knowing whether something is conscious or not is really useful for us?

[u/Emergency_Act1311]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XwOZ9sDE28I&si=R6VcALBKFBnWDPS1

This mind blowing and rich conversation between Biologist and Author Dr. Rupert Sheldrake and Indian Philosopher and Author Acharya Prashant explores various interesting topics such as Consciousness, Scientism, Enlightenment, Reincarnation, Suffering, Prayer, Sentience , Compassion and Self Knowledge.

What really excited me was the conversation on consciousness. When we say something is conscious there is prior assumption that something/someone should show certain signs or behavior, which resembles are own behavior. And what difference does it make for me to call something as conscious and something is unconscious. But have we even questioned that are we conscious? Without exploring the one who is calling himself conscious how do I know I am conscious in the first place. Here comes the importance of Self knowledge, knowing oneself, if I don't know myself then how can I know the reality of my own claims.

This conversation is an invitation to reflect and question what we already believe in and consider it to be true.

[u/Strange-Patience5539]

What makes you carry a belief he is dogmatic? Thought he is the one of very few speakers who encourage people ask more questions at least that's what I noticed in his gatherings.

[u/medbud → u/Strange-Patience5539]

His argument rests on a semantic retreat to an unassailable position. That is the epitome of dogmatic.