There is a minimum requirement for a mind to develop consciousness, in the sense of reflective consciousness. Consciousness initially requires a minimum of two minds in communication in order to get going, like at least a mother and child. If this communication requisite is dropped, like in the case of a human who grew up on a desert island and had never been in contact with other humans, consciousness would not appear. In other words consciousness, just as the etymology of the word suggests, is a multi mind phenomenon. Just as communication is at least a dual mind phenomenon, which can be expanded to multiple minds and so it is with the development of consciousness, which needs socializing.

Consciousness and communication are twin phenomena. We can further state that consequently consciousness is also a socio-cultural phenomenon. Supporting this view is the fact that a private language is impossible something which was already pointed out by Ludwig Wittgenstein.

This incidentally also forbids the existence of a conscious monotheistic God before the creation of other viewpoints or souls.

Consciousness Etymology: Latin conscire, from com- “together” or + scire “to know”. “Knowing together”