[proc0]

As you point out, that list is only necessary for the evolution of consciousness (perhaps) but it is not a requirement for consciousness itself.

From a functional computatoinalist POV, consciousness just requires information processing. People who meditate a lot can attest to the fact that conscious experience doesn't even need a self, it doesn't need thoughts, purpose or anything else. Consciousness is just raw awareness (meta-awareness)... however since we know the brain is processing information at some capacity (i.e. search Phineas Gage), then consciousness is something like the running simulation of reality being processed by the brain.

Joscha Bach, Max Tegmark, are two good sources for this perspective.