Wikipedia gives this definition:
Consciousness is a type of mental state, a way of perceiving, particularly the perception of a relationship between self and other. It has been described as a point of view, an I, or what Thomas Nagel called the existence of "something that it is like" to be something.
I think every definition of consciousness inevitably becomes circular. Anything you can use to define consciousness must already exist within the consciousness you are defining, so essentially consciousness consumes everything. What is a "mental state"? What is a perception, or a way of perceiving? These things cannot be defined without some reference to consciousness. Therefore, consciousness cannot be defined, it defines. It cannot be reduced, it reduces. It is everything and nothing. Om.
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