The root of consciousness is in the brain stem, which is the “hinge point between the body and brain,” rather than the cerebral cortex, as is commonly assumed, says neuroscientist Dr. Antonio Damasio in an interview with the LA Times on his latest book, Self Comes to Mind.

Consciousness is “this ability that we have to look out on the world and grasp it,” and animals have a basic sense of self, Damasio explains. “[A sense of self] is a way of classifying the world in terms of your own needs.” According to Damasio, even birds have a basic sense of self.

In the book, Damasio also investigates how consciousness contributes to human culture.

Dr. Damasio is author of Descartes’ Error and Looking for Spinoza, international bestsellers.