> This is a question I asked a few months ago and could not myself answer. Someone here is bound to come up with a better solution than I. I think it can only be answered by one who believes in free will and no soul.
>
> If one does not believe in a soul and does not invoke a hitherto unknown principle, the consciousness must reside within the physical human body. If consciousness can be effected through complex reactions of matter, all matter must be at least infinitesimally self-aware. How then should this affect the way we treat all matter, animate or otherwise?

Well, for a start, Ayako's dad would be able to justify his fear of turning over a bored rock twice.