Re-evaluating the structure of consciousness through the symintentry hypothesis

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Philosophy of Mind
• Theoretical Physics

Background:

• The Projective Consciousness Model (PCM) and phenomenal selfhood model describe consciousness via five symmetries.
• These symmetries include situated 3D spatiality, temporal integration, multimodal integration, phenomenal intentionality, and self-awareness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose symmetry-based modeling as a fundamental principle underlying consciousness.
• To explore the mathematical underpinnings of consciousness, drawing from Kantian transcendental structuralism and Cassirer's group theory.
• To introduce and validate a novel concept, 'symintentry,' unifying symmetry and intentionality.

Main Methods:

• Developing a theoretical framework based on Kant's transcendental structuralism and Cassirer's group theory.
• Defining a dual quaternion operator to explicate symmetry-based modeling and its role in structuring temporal integration ('the Now').
• Introducing and analyzing 'symintentry' as the archetypical form of symmetry.

Main Results:

• The five symmetries of consciousness are explicated through symmetry-based modeling.
• Cassirer's group requires a dual quaternion operator to support intentionality and the identified symmetries.
• Symintentry is proposed as a unifying principle for symmetry-based modeling and intentionality.

Conclusions:

• Symintentry offers a novel perspective on the fundamental nature of symmetry, intentionality, and consciousness.
• The dual quaternion operator provides a mathematical basis for understanding the emergence and structure of consciousness.
• This work bridges philosophical concepts with mathematical structures to illuminate the invariant properties of consciousness.