The text discusses the concept of consciousness in animals, highlighting its complexity and multifaceted nature. It explains that consciousness encompasses various aspects, including self-awareness, emotions, and the ability to perceive and understand one's environment. The text also references Charles Darwin's observation that humans and animals share similar capacities for pleasure, pain, happiness, and suffering.

The discussion includes a classification system developed by psychologists and scientists that categorizes animal consciousness into nine levels, ranging from basic survival instincts to complex cognitive abilities. These levels include:

1. *Basic survival instincts*: Found in simple organisms like jellyfish and worms.

2. *Complex behaviors*: Observed in animals like crabs and insects.

3. *Social interactions and maternal behaviors*: Seen in reptiles, amphibians, and some birds and fish.

4. *Planning and organized behavior*: Exhibited by solitary predators and omnivores.

5. *Use of tools and language*: Demonstrated by animals like octopuses and some birds.

6. *Problem-solving and complex social behaviors*: Observed in animals like parrots and dogs.

7. *Self-awareness and understanding of others' intentions*: Seen in animals like dolphins and elephants.

8. *Complex theory of mind and creative behavior*: Exhibited by animals like chimpanzees and gorillas.

9. *Highest level of consciousness*: Characterized by a complex understanding of abstract concepts, observed in humans.

This classification system highlights the diversity of cognitive abilities in the animal kingdom and challenges the notion that humans are the only species with complex consciousness.