Jaap: How this series began: Talking about consciousness has become common. That suggests we know what consciousness is. For example, we define it as “the state of being awake and aware of one’s surroundings.” Wikipedia defines it: “Consciousness is being aware of something internal to oneself or being conscious of states or objects in one’s external environment.” But then it continues: “It has been the subject of extensive explanation, analysis, and debate among philosophers, scientists, and theologians for millennia. There is no consensus on what exactly needs to be studied, or even if consciousness can be considered a scientific concept.” Therefore, we cannot yet clearly define consciousness.