Full Idea
The first condition on the self is that it should be capable of consciousness.
Gist of Idea
A self must at least be capable of consciousness
Source
John Searle (Rationality in Action [2001], Ch.3.IX)
Book Reference
Searle,John R.: 'Rationality in Action' [MIT 2001], p.93
A Reaction
This strikes me as a stipulative definition. It raises the question of whether it is possible that a lizard (say) is not actually conscious, but has some sort of propriotreptic awareness, and a 'central controller' for its decision-making.