Understanding Biopsycho-systemic, Bio-systemic, and Techno-systemic Awareness.
What is Awareness?
In humans, awareness is the product of consciousness; the knowledge born of experience.
However, not all forms of awareness function in the same way. Understanding awareness requires distinguishing between three primary types:
Biopsycho-systemic awareness is resultant of biochemical and psychological processes. It is Intentional, and therefore a form of awareness that is an outcome of consciousness.
Bio-systemic awareness is resultant of biochemical processes. It is unintentional, and therefore a form of awareness that is not an outcome of consciousness
Techno-systemic awareness is resultant of technological processes. It is unintentional, and therefore a form of awareness that is not an outcome of consciousness.
Each type of awareness shapes how humans, animals, other biological systems, and machines interact with the objective world. By exploring these differences, we can better understand how cognition/intuition, biological processes, and artificial intelligence operate.
To illustrate this, I’ll explores these distinctions using the simple examples of a gardener, a sunflower, and a smart irrigation machine.
The Gardener, the Sunflower, and the Machine
Imagine a gardener standing in a greenhouse. They observe a sunflower tilting towards the sunlight, while a smart irrigation system monitors soil moisture and waters the plant when needed.
Each of these—the gardener, the sunflower, and the machine—demonstrates a distinct type of awareness.
Understanding Biopsycho-systemic Awareness: The Gardener
The gardener actively observes, remembers, and makes decisions. They recall watering the sunflower yesterday, calculates when to water it next, and decides to prune a few leaves. Their awareness is:
• Intentional – They direct their attention towards the plant.
• Cognitive/intuitive – They process past actions and plan future ones.
• Self-generated – Their awareness emerges from intention, not reaction.
This is biopsycho-systemic awareness. It combines biological function and psychological processing to create self-directed experience, and therefore awareness.
Why Biopsycho-systemic Awareness Matters
• Enables conscious decision-making.
• Allows for planning and adaptation.
• Drives intentional actions.
Biopsycho-systemic awareness is exclusive to beings capable of intention.
Understanding Bio-systemic Awareness: The Sunflower
The sunflower lacks cognition/intuition but still reacts to its environment in a systemic way. It tilts towards the sunlight (phototropism) and its roots seek out moisture when the soil dries. Its awareness is:
• Reactive – It responds automatically, without conscious choice.
• Biochemical – Hormones trigger movement based on environmental conditions.
• Self-sustaining – It maintains itself without intention or external instruction.
This is bio-systemic awareness—a form of non-cognitive, biological reactivity.
Why Bio-systemic Awareness Matters
• Regulates biological function.
• Enables survival-based adaptation.
• Exists in all living organisms without intention.
Bio-systemic awareness sustains life but lacks independent intention.
Understanding Techno-systemic Awareness: The Smart Irrigation Machine
The smart irrigation machine monitors soil moisture levels. When the soil becomes too dry, it activates a water pump. Its awareness is:
• Externally programmed – It follows preset rules, not independent decisions.
• Pattern-based – It reacts to input data but does not interpret meaning.
• Non-autonomous – If it malfunctions, it cannot repair itself or adapt.
This is techno-systemic awareness—a rule-based, algorithmic form of reactivity.
Why Techno-systemic Awareness Matters
• Powers automation and artificial intelligence.
• Improves efficiency in systems.
• Mimics biological processes but lacks true intention.
Techno-systemic awareness enables programmed reaction to conditions, but it cannot generate original thought or intention.
Understanding Awareness: Final Thoughts
• Biopsycho-systemic awareness is self-directed, intentional, and adaptive.
• Bio-systemic awareness is reactive and systemic but lacks true intention.
• Techno-systemic awareness mimics awareness but only operates within predefined rules and mechanics.
Why Understanding Awareness Matters
• Only biopsycho-systemic awareness is resultant of and can generate true intention.
• Bio-systemic awareness sustains life but cannot intentionally create or innovate.
• Techno-systemic awareness enables automation but cannot think intend, or adapt independently.
Understanding awareness helps us differentiate between human thought, biological reactions, and machine responses, and may further inform our understanding of human psychology, the natural world, and technological advancement.
Until next time, stay safe.
