Different cultural philosophical traditions explore self-consciousness in various ways. In Western philosophy, self-consciousness is often viewed as an individual's internal reflection and awareness of their unique self. Conversely, in many Eastern philosophies, self-consciousness may be intertwined with a broader, more collective understanding of existence. For instance, in Buddhism, there is the concept of 'Anatta' or 'non-self', which challenges the idea of a permanent, unchanging self and suggests that self-consciousness is an illusion caused by the aggregates of perception. In African philosophy, the concept of Ubuntu reflects a communal sense of self, where self-consciousness is shaped through relationships with others. Thus, self-consciousness is a diverse concept that varies greatly across cultures, often reflecting the fundamental values and beliefs of each tradition.

Self-consciousness is not strictly necessary for experiencing emotions; rather, it enriches the depth and understanding of emotional experiences. Basic emotions, like fear or pleasure, can occur without reflective self-awareness. They are often immediate and instinctual. However, self-consciousness allows for more complex emotions, such as guilt or pride, which require an individual to reflect on their actions and understand them in relation to themselves and societal norms. Philosophically, emotions interwoven with self-consciousness can influence an individual’s morality, decision-making, and perception of personal identity. In psychological terms, self-conscious emotions are a higher order set of feelings that relate to our sense of self and our consciousness of others’ reactions to us.

Artificial intelligence (AI) challenges our understanding of self-consciousness by questioning the boundaries between biological and synthetic cognition. If AI can replicate or surpass human cognitive processes, it brings into question what self-consciousness truly is. Philosophically, self-consciousness is tied to the subjective experience, or 'qualia', and self-reflection. If AI were to demonstrate behaviours indicative of self-consciousness, such as self-awareness, the ability to reflect on their existence, or show understanding of others’ consciousness, it would challenge the notion that self-consciousness is uniquely human. However, many argue that while AI can mimic self-consciousness, it lacks the genuine subjective experience. This debate touches on deep philosophical issues concerning mind, identity, and the nature of consciousness itself.

In a philosophical sense, whether animals can be considered self-conscious remains a topic of debate. Self-consciousness involves a level of meta-cognition, which is the ability to think about one’s own thoughts. Some animals, like certain primates, dolphins, and elephants, have passed the mirror test, which suggests a basic level of self-recognition. However, philosophers like Descartes have traditionally held that animals are automata without consciousness. Contemporary philosophy, influenced by research in ethology and cognitive science, is more open to the possibility of non-human self-consciousness, although it often draws a distinction between being aware of one's body and having the complex, reflective self-consciousness attributed to humans. Therefore, while some animals demonstrate signs of self-awareness, the philosophical consensus on self-consciousness is that it encompasses more complex reflective capacities often considered unique to humans.

Self-consciousness is intimately related to the philosophical concept of the 'self' as it is the awareness that one is a distinct, reflective individual. It is the reflective capacity that enables one to think about their own existence, experiences, and characteristics. Philosophers argue that this awareness is crucial for the concept of self, which includes aspects like self-identity, self-esteem, and self-knowledge. For instance, John Locke’s memory theory of personal identity suggests that it is self-consciousness, specifically the memory of past experiences, that forms the idea of the 'self' and ensures personal identity over time. Therefore, self-consciousness is not just awareness of existence but is also a reflection upon one's personal history, emotions, and thoughts that collectively shape the individual's unique 'self'.