Model Unity and the Unity of Consciousness: Developments in Expected Float Entropy Minimisation.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) October 31, 2021 DOI: 10.3390/e23111444 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPhenomenal unity is a key property of consciousness but often poorly defined. This paper introduces model unity: a system has model unity when a single relational model covering the whole system is optimal; otherwise, unity may exist only at a higher level. As part of expected float entropy minimisation theory, relational models interpret system states and may explain why visual experience is unified and why separate people do not share unified consciousness. Four example investigations are given, along with a postulate that distills the foundations of EFE minimisation into a clear statement for evaluating whether it identifies a self-evident fundamental property of consciousness.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Mind-matter models Model unity Relational models Typical data Unity of consciousness |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key finding | Model unity, defined as optimality of a single relational model across a whole system, offers a precise mathematical formulation of phenomenal unity and may explain unified visual experience and the lack of unified consciousness between individuals. |
Abstract
The unity of consciousness, or, more precisely, phenomenal unity, is an important property of consciousness and an important area of research in mathematical consciousness science and the scientific study of consciousness. Due to the numerous aspects and complexity of consciousness, the property tends to engender loose or inadequate characterizations. In this article, we introduce the concept and mathematical formulation of model unity. A system has model unity if a single relational model, stretched across the whole system, is optimal. Alternatively, model unity may only be present for subsystems, although there may still be unity at some higher level. As a development in the theory of expected float entropy minimisation, such relational models provide an interpretation of system states and the theory may help to provide insights into questions such as why experience of the visual field is unified and why different people do not have a unified consciousness, for example. This article constitutes a relatively small initial study of model unity. Four investigations were undertaken and are given as examples. A postulate is also given, distilling the foundations of EFE minimisation into a clear statement allowing others to consider whether or not the postulate identifies a self-evident fundamental property of consciousness.