Does the present moment depend on the moments not lived?

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Neuroscience
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• Integrated information theory (IIT) proposes consciousness arises from a system's capacity to integrate information.
• The theory posits that conscious experience is graded and quantifiable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the implications of IIT's axiom of information for understanding consciousness.
• To examine the role of context and external observers in shaping conscious experience.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of Integrated Information Theory postulates.
• Conceptual exploration of information, context, and subjective experience.

Main Results:

• Conscious experience is theorized to depend on a repertoire of hypothetical experiences.
• Consciousness is shown to be contingent on contextual constraints and observer-imagined scenarios.

Conclusions:

• Consciousness is not solely an intrinsic property of a system.
• The observer's perspective and the surrounding context are crucial factors in defining conscious experience according to IIT.