Here and other places in this site take the egocentric view that only humans possess consciousness and an awareness of ones self-history. This is not only egocentric, but has been demonstrated as simply wrong.
Every species of the greater apes has demonstrated the ability to learn sign language and commmunicate with humans about what they think and feel. They have communicated past experiences and made their opinions known.
Dolphins have shown self-recognition in that they know when they are looking in a mirror they are looking at themselves.
If this particular vanity can be overcome, many concepts here fall apart.
