If the ants have a common hive mind that dictates their actions are the ants aware of it? Or do they go about their day patting themselves for their ingenuity and original ideas?

The Big Brains think as they please but some according to a plan. The Little Brains believe without knowing why. They make up reasons to explain the causes events based on these beliefs. The little brains can form a career writing books based on these “explanations.”