What is an adjective to describe something that is aware of its surroundings?

Solution 1:

percipient

capable of or characterized by perception (Merriam-Webster)

Incorporated the concept of observer equivalence that was implicit in the belief in a physical reality that is independent of any percipient entity.
_{Pfeffer and Nir, Modern Physics: An Introductory Text (2nd Edition), 2012}

When I perceive I must become percipient of something-there can be no such thing as perceiving and perceiving nothing.
_{Moeller, Introduction to College Philosophy (2013)}

The sensum, though distinct from the sensation, is dependent upon the perceiver. It is in fact a resultant of the meeting of a certain object and a certain percipient subject.
_{Ross, Aristotle (2005)}

Solution 2:

outward-looking defined by Collins as "looking beyond oneself; open-minded and reaching out to other people, organizations, etc".

We're talking about an organization or group of people, so any term is going to be somewhat metaphorical. Businesses aren't noted for the presence or absence of sense-organs or literal consciousness, but some are more aware of what is going on in the marketplace, with their customers, and beyond. It's this aspect of an organization that's identified by the term "outward-looking".

Solution 3:

cognizant

ˈkɒɡnɪzənt,ˈkɒnɪzənt, kɒɡˈnʌɪzənt/

Frequency (in current use): 5th level of 8

Etymology: apparently of modern introduction: not in Dictionaries of 18th cent.; not in Todd's Johnson 1818, nor in Webster 1828; in Craig 1847. Thus, probably formed anew, directly cognizance n., cognize v.; but it corresponds in form to Old French conisant, conusant present participle Compare cognoscent adj.

1. a. Having cognizance or knowledge (see cognizance n. 2); aware (of).

1820 R. Southey Ode Portrait Bp. Heber If the Saints in bliss Be cognizant of aught that passeth here.

a1859 J. Austin Lect. Jurispr. (1879) I. xxv. 499 The party shall be presumed conusant of the law...his ignorance shall not exempt him.

1879 W. B. Carpenter Princ. Mental Physiol. (ed. 5) i. ii. §82 The following circumstance, of which the writer is personally cognizant.

b. Philosophy. That knows or cognizes.

1839 H. Hallam Introd. Lit. Europe III. iii. 162 Gassendi..gives as the best, a definition of truth little differing from Herbert's, the agreement of the cognizant intellect with the thing known.

1862 F. Hall tr. N. N. Gore Rational Refut. Hindu Philos. Syst. 54 If this cognition were that which apprehends objects, the soul would be cognizant.

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