Yes, plants are alive, but presumably they are not conscious like animals are. Or if they are, that means veganism is not more ethical that eating meat.

If consciousness can exist without anything to be conscious of, please explain how that is so. If consciousness doesn't consist of anything other than consciousness, and there are no other things, what is consciousness conscious of?

Thank you for the book suggestions. I have a made a note of them. I have also added your article to my reading list.