There is a proverb “words without meaning can explain any phenomenon”. Religion and some philosophical ideas are very convenient to “explain” consciousness.
“Head pictures and thinky thoughts.”
Just because science can’t explain something yet, doesn’t mean magic is a better explanation.
Consciousness is the echoes of the universe’s birth scream bouncing off of each other
Consciousness exists because it is without alternative: You can’t observe yourself to be without consciousness.
Why not?
because then you wouldn’t perceive anything
Why so?
are you doing an What the Tortoise said to Achilles thing? asking pointless questions to delay coming to conclusions?
Hope not, just don’t see how consciousness is required for any of the things you mentioned. There are plenty of things usually perceived as without consciousness that do those perfectly well.
