LANGUAGE AND CONSCIOUSNESS

It has been argued that language is the gift that gives us a consciousness unparalleled by other animals. But is this true?

The best definition of consciousness in this context is perhaps; “The fact of awareness by the mind of itself and the world.” It is subjective experience. Is your pet dog conscious, or your cat? No. Human consciousness is awareness through symbolism and for that we need language, it is a heightened sense of self awareness. Without the ability to express our conscious state it is meaningless, we think in terms of language, we symbolise our emotions, our thoughts in terms of words and so for that fact; language and the conscious mind are inextricably intertwined.

If consciousness is self awareness; the mirror test shows that all of the great apes (including humans, thankfully) respond to the mirror showing some sign that they recognise the reflection as themselves, as well as animals including pigs and dolphins. A demonstration of self- awareness. On the face of it, it seems through the mirror test we have proved the existence of consciousness that matches our own, in animals other than ourselves. I challenge this conclusion by saying; no, we haven’t.

How is recognition of your own face in a mirror, and the ability to understand the position that you, as an individual fill in time and space comparable? The ability for internal self talk and the explanation of your own subjective experience, importantly to yourself, but also to others is a feature of being human. It is a feature of human consciousness.

Professor Gordon Gallup, the pioneer of the mirror test said “The consequence of self awareness is death awareness.” He is right. But I don’t for one moment believe that a pig, capable of passing the self awareness test, stands around contemplating the end of it’s life. Not because pigs are too hedonistic and care-free, but because they are not capable. Their consciousness does not reach the heights that human’s climb too. To grasp an understanding of yourself, of where you are placed in your surroundings and of your eventual demise, you need symbolism. You need language.

The definition of consciousness as purely self awareness is adequate, but it doesn’t stress our unique, meaningful ability to symbolise our subjective experience. To contemplate it and to share an interpretation of it with others. For that I use the term ‘human consciousness’. We stand in superior solidarity as the species with the most developed form of language – a gift that enables us to reach a higher zone of consciousness. Abstract thought results, a firm sense of self, of “me” occurs and our superior consciousness cements the claim that humans are the most intelligent life form on the blue planet.

Without language consciousness is meaningless; it results in nothing. The addition of language results in a powerful, comprehensible form of consciousness. The vehicle in which we share our subjective experience, interpret it and understand it ourselves. Language is the gift that gives us a consciousness unparalleled by other animals.

Let me know what you think…