What is consciousness?
Consciousness is being aware: of the world around us, of our body and of our own thoughts and feelings. You are conscious now because you can read these words and know that you are reading.
- We cannot notice everything at once. Attention picks a few things, like a torch.
- Some things happen without our notice, such as breathing while we read. Many habits become automatic.
- Humans can think about the past and the future and imagine things that are not in front of them.
Self-awareness and self-knowledge
Self-awareness is knowing yourself: your thoughts, wishes, strengths and weaknesses. A person with self-awareness can say, 'I was angry, and that is why I shouted.' This helps us control behaviour, learn from mistakes and set goals.
We learn who we are from our own thinking and also from other people: family, friends, teachers and the groups we belong to.
What is a world view?
A world view (also written worldview) is the whole set of ideas a person uses to understand the world: what is real, what is important, what is right, and what a good life is. It is like a pair of glasses.
Two people can see the same event and explain it differently because their world views differ. A world view forms from family, culture, education, experience, science, art and faith or belief. It can change when we learn new things.
Common kinds: everyday (common sense from life), scientific (based on tested facts), religious (based on faith and tradition) and philosophical (based on reasoning).
Values: what we think is worth following
Values are beliefs about what is good, right and important. They guide our choices. Examples: honesty, kindness, respect, courage, equality, hard work, freedom, responsibility.
- Personal values are those of one person.
- Social values are shared by a group or society.
- Values differ in strength. If honesty is stronger than self-interest in your mind, you return the wallet.
Values help people live together because they make behaviour predictable and fair.
Traditional values
Traditional values are values handed down for many generations through family, customs, stories, festivals and religion. Examples: respect for elders, care for the family, hospitality, community help, simple living and honesty.
Tradition gives stability and a sense of belonging. But times change. Society keeps what is still good, and may change customs that harm people, such as unequal treatment. Many modern values, like equal rights, grew out of long thinking about older ones.
Try it
Ask a grandparent for one value they were taught as a child. Write it down. Then write whether you follow it today and why.
How they work together
Consciousness lets us notice and think. Our world view gives us a frame to understand what we notice. Our values tell us what to do about it. Together they shape our actions, and the actions of many people shape society.
Key formulas and definitions
- Key term: consciousness = awareness of the world and of oneself
- Key term: self-awareness = knowing your own thoughts, feelings and actions
- Key term: world view = the ideas through which we see the world
- Key term: values = beliefs about what is good and important
- Key term: traditional values = values passed down through generations
Worked examples
1. A boy says, 'I shouted because I was tired and hungry.' Which ability is he using?
Self-awareness. He is looking at his own feelings and understanding why he acted.
2. Two people see a forest. One thinks of timber for sale, the other thinks of a home for animals. What explains the difference?
Their world views and values differ. The forest is the same, but they see and value different things in it.
3. A family always welcomes guests with food and respect, as their grandparents did. What kind of values are these?
Traditional values (hospitality, respect), handed down through generations.
4. Name one traditional value that society may keep and one custom that it may change. Give a reason for each.
Keep: respect for elders, because it builds care and trust. Change: a custom that stops girls from going to school, because it harms people and breaks equal rights.
Common mistakes
- Thinking consciousness means only being awake. It also includes noticing and knowing yourself.
- Saying everyone has the same world view. World views differ with experience and culture.
- Treating all traditions as always good or always bad. Society keeps the helpful ones and can change harmful ones.
- Mixing up facts and values. 'The wallet has 500 rupees' is a fact. 'I should return it' is a value.