I think the definition of consciousness meaning “internal state that observably correlates to external state” would clarify here. Gravel wouldn’t be conscious, because it has no internal state that we can point to and say it correlates to external state. Galaxies/the universe doesn’t either, as far as we can tell. Galaxies don’t have internal state that represents e.g. other galaxies, other than including humans in that definition, but it would be more proper IMO to limit the definition the minimum amount of state possible. You don’t count the galaxy as having internal state that represents external state, if you can limit that definition to one tiny, self-contained part of the galaxy, i.e. a human brain.
I think the definition of consciousness meaning “internal state that observably correlates to external state” would clarify here. Gravel wouldn’t be conscious, because it has no internal state that we can point to and say it correlates to external state. Galaxies/the universe doesn’t either, as far as we can tell. Galaxies don’t have internal state that represents e.g. other galaxies, other than including humans in that definition, but it would be more proper IMO to limit the definition the minimum amount of state possible. You don’t count the galaxy as having internal state that represents external state, if you can limit that definition to one tiny, self-contained part of the galaxy, i.e. a human brain.