Why are we conscious? – BBC

Evolutionary advantage? If you don’t have an “ego” you may not protect yourself and loved ones. Species that don’t have it (or in the same quantity) rely on playing the numbers game by reproducing like fire. I bet most mammals have some sense of consciousness due to the complexity of being and breeding cost, with humans being an extreme.

Because you can't tell stories without it.

New research is changing our understanding of the origins of consciousness.