the meme theory describes that consciousness is merely an after-effect, not precondition, of our actions. it's an interesting concept that, after reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/019286212X?v=glance">"The Meme Machine" (Susan Blackmore)</a>, and mostly convinced of.
Here's another excellent article on the subject:
http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/journalism/ns02.htm