Honour

I would say that consciousness is a measure. And just as there are various measurable qualities (e.g size, temperature, distance etc.) so there are also different types/modes of consciousness.

Everything in nature (i.e. what is not MANufactured) is conscious but to varying degrees and for different purposes. The degree and purpose of a being's consciousness cannot always be told by it's outside appearance. For example, there are things that look human but have the consciousness of pigs.

Consciousness is also dependant on environment; what the awareness is fed on from an early age is what develops it's appetite so, the mind that is fed on derivative or sterile products will develop a consciousness that is only capable of digesting such things as it goes through this life.

What is often seen as a lack of consciousness is nothing else than an expression of the aqquired taste for watered down mind-food.

And this is why I would say that consciousness is a measure of capacity.