re: Self-awareness
How many animals on the Earth developed science? How many animals on the Earth are unlocking the secrets of the universe?
There may be animals on the Earth that are self-aware. Chimpanzees and dolphins might be. Fine, lets include them. That still doesn’t change things. There is still far more unthinking matter in the universe than there is thinking matter. Thinking matter is very rare.
We are important and there is nothing wrong with realizing that. Getting cockey and egotistic can be dangerous, but thinking you are worthless is just as bad. Having a low self image of your species is also destructive.
I think we are important- and I’ll stick with that. You believe what you want.