This chapter describes a basic idea to conceptualize the element of the cognitive part of consciousness, or, thought. (Check chapter 'emotion' for further specification of consciousness.)
A gedanken experiment: imagine a being with the only one perceptual ability to see white colour/light! Do you think this being has consciousness? Please think about it for a second! Only white colour..
Now imagine the being also has a second perceptual ability: to see red colour! What now about consciousness? White and red ..
The being now has an opportunity to 'compare', to see white versus red! It is a first simple contrast. It gives the being a first really simple concept: of white and/versus red!
From a different point of view: if white and red really are simple or a beautiful gesture of our neuronal system is for you to decide. Yet, seeing only white, or red, or both, wouldn't get us as far!
This rather introspective/philosophical approach delivers a basic conceptualization of our elements of thought/perception/concepts. They may be based on a 'high' number of elementary sensual contrasts. So, contrast makes consciousness! If we agree that there is such basic principle it doesn't mean the we are simple. Note that this is only treating the cognitive part of consciousness (leaving out the emotional part, see chapter 'emotion'). The elementary sensory contrasts within and between the different senses build up to the complexity of our cognitions (thoughts and/or perceptions). The complexity is made by 'high'number of experiences/moments, of according circumstances and of relators in the course of a human life.