Ontology of consciousness

Ontology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, becoming, existence, or reality, as well as the basic categories of being and their relations. Traditionally listed as a part of the major branch of philosophy known as metaphysics, ontology deals with questions concerning what entities exist or can be said to exist, and how such entities can be grouped, related within a hierarchy, and subdivided according to similarities and differences. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontology

Consciousness and ixperiencitness can be scientifically studied separately from the way it is produced. Thus we can have knowledge about consciousness and ixperiencitness separate from the matter and energy that produces it. Consciousness has existence but awaretheory does not predict its existence as a dualistic substance like a soul. It is more like a property of matter that matter can have or not depending on the internal and external functioning of matter and energy.