(Part one of two)  In all seriousness, i don't quite understand how consciousness "abstracts" from biology in a way that makes it independent of biology when in fact it is a product of biological self-reflection.—sylvester(pat)steffen  Consciousness is an American English word with an American English meaning; consciousness would be a concept referring to reality, whether or not the word existed in the American English language.  In that sense, consciousness is independent of biology.  When one goes from language to language to language there is no exact equivalent to the exact meaning and nuance associated with American English consciousness.  That is how consciousness abstracts from biology.  Consciousness is a product of biological self-reflection, though self-reflection varies from species to species.