Conscious Causality, Observer-Observed Simultaneity, and the Problem of Time for Integrated Information Theory

Area of Science:

• Consciousness Studies
• Theoretical Physics
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• The 'hard problem' of consciousness arises from its unproven causal power within physics.
• Integrated Information Theory (IIT) posits consciousness is identical to physical structures with emergent causal power.
• IIT's spatial focus, rather than temporal, is a key conceptual flaw.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the 'hard problem' of consciousness by incorporating its temporal features.
• To critique and refine Integrated Information Theory (IIT).
• To propose a new framework for measuring consciousness's causal power.

Main Methods:

• Deductive reasoning to establish consciousness's causal power.
• Critique of IIT's spatial focus in favor of temporal dynamics.
• Repurposing complexity theory for temporal causal connections.

Main Results:

• Consciousness possesses causal power due to phenomenological simultaneity (experiencer and experienced are simultaneous).
• IIT's measure of integrated information (Φ) is flawed due to its spatial orientation.
• A temporal model can resolve the 'hard problem' by focusing on events in time.

Conclusions:

• Integrating the temporal dimension of consciousness is crucial for solving the 'hard problem'.
• A revised model, rooted in complexity theory, can measure temporally-based causal connections.
• Consciousness's causal power stems from its simultaneous, rather than sequential, nature.