Full Idea
The self-representational theory of consciousness says that when one has a conscious experience as of a red tomato, one is in an internal state that represents both a red tomato and itself.
Gist of Idea
Red tomato experiences are conscious if the state represents the tomato and itself
Source
U Kriegel / K Williford (Intro to 'Self-Representational Consciousness' [2006], §1)
Book Reference
'Self-Representational Approaches to Consciousness', ed/tr. Kriegel,U /Williford,K [MIT 2006], p.2
A Reaction
This seems to be avoiding the concept of 'higher-order', and yet that seems the only way to describe it - thought steps outside of itself, generating a level of meta-thought. I think that's the way to go. Philosophy is about-fifth level.