Self-awareness
In philosophy of self, self-awareness is the experience of one's own personality or individuality.[1] It is not to be confused with consciousness in the sense of qualia. While consciousness is being aware of one's body and environment, self-awareness is the recognition of that consciousness.[2] Self-awareness is how an individual experiences and understands their own character, feelings, motives, and desires.
Not to be confused with Self-concept, Self-consciousness, Self-perception theory, Self-image, or Sentience.Science fiction[edit]
In science fiction, self-awareness describes an essential human property that often (depending on the circumstances of the story) bestows personhood onto a non-human. If a computer, alien or other object is described as "self-aware", the reader may assume that it will be treated as a completely human character, with similar rights, capabilities and desires to a normal human being.[75] The words "sentience", "sapience" and "consciousness" are used in similar ways in science fiction.