The universe is moving towards maximizing entropy. We (life) are just an artifact on that path. In some ways you could argue that we are 'compelled' by the same

The universe is moving towards maximizing entropy. We (life) are just an artifact on that path. In some ways you could argue that we are 'compelled' by the same thing the water is. It could be that every atom is conscious. But my guess is that it requires some kind of a larger physical construction for consciousness to appear. It would still mean that our consciousness is a collection of simple compulsions. I just think atoms are too small to contain that behavior on their own.