There is a saying that the most significant distinction between humans and other animals lies in consciousness. Humans possess autonomous awareness, enabling them to understand their environment independently and formulate thoughts within their minds. However, the question of 'what is consciousness' remains as challenging to answer as philosophical inquiries into 'who am I' and 'where do I come from'.

From the perspective of dialectical materialism, consciousness is the human brain's awareness of both internal and external phenomena. Physiologically, it is a function of the brain that facilitates imagination and memory recall through external senses. When we sleep, consciousness ceases to function.

According to historical records, early scientists studying consciousness examined the activity of sensory areas in the cerebral cortex. They conducted experiments on animals by stimulating the cerebral cortex with electrical signals, observing that these sensory areas would generate active signals, leading to corresponding bodily responses.

Therefore, early scientists referred to the generation of electrical signals in the sensory areas of the cerebral cortex as the process of consciousness formation. Subsequently, some scientists expanded their research from animal brains to human brains, discovering similar sensory areas in the human cerebral cortex, albeit with more complex processes involved in signal formation and transmission.

Neurons in the brain

The brain, weighing only about 1.4 kilograms, houses the most intricate structures in our bodies. It not only controls our movements, perceptions, memories, and emotions but also serves as the origin of our consciousness. The question of how the brain accomplishes all these functions remains a profound scientific inquiry.

Currently, scientists attribute consciousness primarily to the complexity of the developed human brain. They have observed that the human brain is extraordinarily complex, containing at least 100 billion cells, each interconnected with others to form neurons. There are estimated to be over 10 trillion neurons distributed throughout the brain. The electrical signals and chemical reactions occurring among these neurons are believed to underpin the higher consciousness observed in humans. When people engage in thought, it is these neural processes that are actively at work. This scientific perspective offers an explanation for the emergence of human consciousness.

Despite various theories, scientists have not conclusively pinpointed the precise origin and evolution of consciousness. This complexity arises from its involvement with numerous brain regions and biological processes. Furthermore, our understanding of the brain's structure and functions remains incomplete, posing challenges in identifying the exact mechanisms underlying consciousness.