Life as an Abstract Concept
1 & 2. Existence is identity. That which exists has identity; that which has identity, exists. This one fact can be viewed from two perspectives:
1. Existence. "It is." This concept differentiates a thing from nothing. This is the primary identification of consciousness.
2. Identity. "It is." This concept differentiates one thing from another. A second step in cognition.
The context and purpose of the two concepts differ, but they name the same fact.
3 & 4: To talk of things (which exist), requires awareness of them.
3. This is the fact of consciousness. Consciousness exists.
4. Consciousness is awareness of something which exists. Consciousness is awareness of existence. As a part of existence (#3), and dependent on it (#7), consciousness is and can only be conscious of that which exists. Consciousness exists (#3), and it is an awareness of something that exists (#4).
5. Because consciousness exists, and because existence is identity, consciousness has identity. Its identity is: awareness of existence.
6. Because consciousness has an identity, it exists.
7. Consciousness implies existence, but existence as a fact does not imply consciousness. Thus, existence is prior to and independent of consciousness. Conversely, consciousness is existentially (and functionally) dependent on existence (see #1).
You can also visualize #7 by collapsing all the double-sided arrows, which function as equals-signs, leaving the one up-ward vector going from existence to consciousness.
Alternatively, I could have drawn a circle-diagram, with a little bubble labeled "consciousness" nested with a big bubble labeled "existence," showing that the existence of consciousness is a sub-set of all that exists, and it participating in the fundamental properties of existence - namely identity. If existence = identity, then we can swap labels, from "Existence of all that exists" to "Identity of all that exists". And from "Existence of consciousness" to "Identity of consciousness". Both the existence and identity of consciousness are seen to flow from, and be dependent on, existence as such.
– Katherine Brakora, Ph.D. Candidate at the University of California, Berkeley
(See original post: http://praxical.blogsome.com/2006/09/24/axioms-of-metaphysics/)
“Life” as an abstract concept, defined and categorized
Using Ms. Brakora’s model as a guide, life will be defined in terms of consciousness, divided hierarchically into four “steps”. It is first necessary to identify an important point of departure from the model, in order to broaden the scope of its application: namely, that existence and identity as signified in the model will be viewed as “lower” forms of consciousness itself, to differentiate between that which exists but does not function, and that which exists and functions. It is important to note also that there is a difference (not enunciated in the model) between recognition (or realization) of existence/identity and cognition of existence/identity (recognition being the knowledge that “I am”/”it is”, and cognition being the awareness, or ability to process, “I am”/”it is”).
Hierarchy of Life
Each level is named by its highest level of function.
Level 1: No Life – example: rocks
Level 2: Reproductive Ability – example: plants
Level 3: Limited Cognition – example: animals
Level 4: Full Consciousness – example: human beings
Level 1: While this foundational level consists of objects that do exist, they are only objects, and do not function in and of themselves. They may have, when acted upon by an outside source, interactions with each other (i.e., chemical reactions) but are otherwise static. Level 1 objects, according to the model, both exist and have identity; however, since they do not function of themselves, they can be considered merely a subset of #1.
Level 2: This level has the ability to grow, change, and reproduce itself; these forms function, but have no recognition of the fact that they do. They may interact with one another either of themselves or via an outside source. Level 2 life forms, according to the model, both exist and have identity; however, since they do not recognize that they exist, they can be considered merely to exist (#1 – “It is”).
Level 3: This level has the ability to grow, change, and reproduce itself; these forms function and recognize that they do so (limited cognition). However, they do not process their identity in terms of existence, only in terms of functionality. They interact with one another on a voluntary and instinctual basis. Level 3 life forms, according to the model, both exist and have identity (#2 – “It is”).
Level 4: This level has the ability to grow, change, and reproduce itself; this form functions, both physically and cognitively, and is fully aware (conscious) of the fact that it does so. It processes its identity in terms of both existence and functionality. The Level 4 life form (human beings), according to the model, exists, has identity, and has consciousness.
Having applied these distinctions to these four levels, they can be further characterized (though in the same categories) by divisions of consciousness, as follows:
Level 1: No Consciousness
Level 2: Consciousness of the Body
Level 3: Consciousness of the Soul (Mind, Will, and Emotions)
Level 4: Consciousness of the Spirit
Level 1: This level has no consciousness.
Level 2: This level has partial consciousness – that of the body. These forms function on a purely physical level.
Level 3: This level has partial consciousness – that of both the body and the soul (the soul being defined as the mind, will, and emotions*). These forms function on physical, intellectual, volitional, and emotional levels.
Level 4: This level has full consciousness – that of the body, soul, and spirit (the spirit being defined as the awareness of morality and ideology, and the capability to reason and be creative). This form functions on physical, intellectual, volitional, emotional, moral, ideological, rational, and creative levels.
*This definition of the soul as mind, will, and emotions is characterized by the distinction between mental/psychological function and rationality; volitional function and morality/ideology; and emotional function and personality (not just identity). While animals can and do exhibit the ability to think, volitional or instinctual tendencies, and the capacity to feel, they cannot reason, experience guilt, or manifest personhood.