Integrated information and predictive processing theories of consciousness: An adversarial collaborative review
Andrew W Corcoran1, Andrew M Haun2, Reinder Dorman3
1Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|May 11, 2026
Summary
This review compares Integrated Information Theory, Neurorepresentationalism, and Active Inference, three leading theories of consciousness. Structured adversarial collaboration will quantitatively assess their predictive and explanatory power through empirical testing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- Numerous neuroscientific theories of consciousness exist, necessitating rigorous comparison.
- Structured adversarial collaborations are emerging as a method to empirically test competing theories.
- This review focuses on three prominent theories: Integrated Information Theory, Neurorepresentationalism, and Active Inference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare and contrast Integrated Information Theory, Neurorepresentationalism, and Active Inference.
- To outline hypotheses and methodologies for empirical testing within an adversarial collaboration framework.
- To provide meta-scientific insights into theory-testing and adversarial collaboration in consciousness research.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of core claims, explanatory scope, and methodological strategies of the three theories.
- Description of a structured adversarial collaboration designed to test competing predictions.
- Outline of multi-site experiments, data integration strategies, and quantitative evaluation of evidential support.
Main Results:
- The review sets the stage for empirical work by detailing testable hypotheses and potential outcomes.
- It discusses how observations will support or challenge each theory and how theories might accommodate data.
- A quantitative framework for integrating data across experiments to measure evidential support for each theory is presented.
Conclusions:
- Adversarial collaboration offers a robust framework for advancing the scientific study of consciousness.
- This approach facilitates rigorous evaluation of competing theories based on empirical evidence.
- The review provides a blueprint for future research and meta-scientific reflection on theory development in neuroscience.
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