system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Are cats' ear movements a reflex that corresponds to incoming sound, or a conscious movement?

I was watching my room mates cat flick it's ears in my direction whenever I called its name. Is that a reflex or a conscious muscle movement? Is it possible to know the answer to this question?
gpt
It can be either, just like you can move your leg both as a reflex and under conscious muscle movement.

They will point their ears to focus their attention on something, or their ears will orient to an unexpected sound.  The latter can be done with "lower level" brain structures, so likely doesn't involve conscious muscle movement (that doesn't mean the cat isn't aware of the movement, just that they didn't "think to point their ears that way").