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Qualia: the geometry of integrated information
David Balduzzi1, Giulio Tononi
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
Plos Computational Biology
|August 15, 2009
Summary
Integrated information theory quantifies consciousness (Phi) and characterizes experience quality via qualia space shapes. This framework mathematically defines conscious experience, linking system mechanisms and states to subjective qualities.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- Integrated Information Theory posits consciousness quantity (Phi) and quality are defined by informational relationships within a system.
- Existing frameworks struggle to mathematically capture the subjective nature of conscious experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a mathematical framework for characterizing the informational relationships that specify the quality of conscious experience.
- To connect the quantity and quality of consciousness within a unified theoretical structure.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of Qualia Space (Q) with axes for system states and points for submechanism repertoires.
- Definition of informational relationships as arrows between repertoires in Q, forming a 'quale' shape.
- Utilizing entanglement to measure the irreducibility of informational relationships.
Main Results:
- The 'quale' shape mathematically defines the quality of experience, determined by both system mechanism and state.
- Phi, the 'height' of the quale shape, quantifies consciousness.
- System activity and connectivity influence the quale shape, affecting subjective experience.
Conclusions:
- The framework provides a principled mathematical translation of qualitative experience.
- Conscious experience is intrinsically linked to the structure of integrated information.
- This approach may unify subjective experience with objective physical systems.
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