Consciousness as Integrated Information: a Provisional
Manifesto
G. Tononi. The Biological Bulletin, 215 (3):
216--242(2008)
Abstract
The integrated information theory (IIT) starts from
phenomenology and makes use of thought experiments to
claim that consciousness is integrated information.
Specifically: (i) the quantity of consciousness
corresponds to the amount of integrated information
generated by a complex of elements; (ii) the quality of
experience is specified by the set of informational
relationships generated within that complex. Integrated
information (Φ) is defined as the amount of
information generated by a complex of elements, above
and beyond the information generated by its parts.
Qualia space (Q) is a space where each axis represents
a possible state of the complex, each point is a
probability distribution of its states, and arrows
between points represent the informational
relationships among its elements generated by causal
mechanisms (connections). Together, the set of
informational relationships within a complex constitute
a shape in Q that completely and univocally specifies a
particular experience. Several observations concerning
the neural substrate of consciousness fall naturally
into place within the IIT framework. Among them are the
association of consciousness with certain neural
systems rather than with others; the fact that neural
processes underlying consciousness can influence or be
influenced by neural processes that remain unconscious;
the reduction of consciousness during dreamless sleep
and generalized seizures; and the distinct role of
different cortical architectures in affecting the
quality of experience. Equating consciousness with
integrated information carries several implications for
our view of nature.
%0 Journal Article
%1 tononi-consciousness-integrated-information-2008
%A Tononi, Giulio
%D 2008
%J The Biological Bulletin
%K consciousness information_integration phi
%N 3
%P 216--242
%T Consciousness as Integrated Information: a Provisional
Manifesto
%U http://www.biolbull.org/content/215/3/216.abstract
%V 215
%X The integrated information theory (IIT) starts from
phenomenology and makes use of thought experiments to
claim that consciousness is integrated information.
Specifically: (i) the quantity of consciousness
corresponds to the amount of integrated information
generated by a complex of elements; (ii) the quality of
experience is specified by the set of informational
relationships generated within that complex. Integrated
information (Φ) is defined as the amount of
information generated by a complex of elements, above
and beyond the information generated by its parts.
Qualia space (Q) is a space where each axis represents
a possible state of the complex, each point is a
probability distribution of its states, and arrows
between points represent the informational
relationships among its elements generated by causal
mechanisms (connections). Together, the set of
informational relationships within a complex constitute
a shape in Q that completely and univocally specifies a
particular experience. Several observations concerning
the neural substrate of consciousness fall naturally
into place within the IIT framework. Among them are the
association of consciousness with certain neural
systems rather than with others; the fact that neural
processes underlying consciousness can influence or be
influenced by neural processes that remain unconscious;
the reduction of consciousness during dreamless sleep
and generalized seizures; and the distinct role of
different cortical architectures in affecting the
quality of experience. Equating consciousness with
integrated information carries several implications for
our view of nature.
@article{tononi-consciousness-integrated-information-2008,
abstract = {The integrated information theory (IIT) starts from
phenomenology and makes use of thought experiments to
claim that consciousness is integrated information.
Specifically: (i) the quantity of consciousness
corresponds to the amount of integrated information
generated by a complex of elements; (ii) the quality of
experience is specified by the set of informational
relationships generated within that complex. Integrated
information (Φ) is defined as the amount of
information generated by a complex of elements, above
and beyond the information generated by its parts.
Qualia space (Q) is a space where each axis represents
a possible state of the complex, each point is a
probability distribution of its states, and arrows
between points represent the informational
relationships among its elements generated by causal
mechanisms (connections). Together, the set of
informational relationships within a complex constitute
a shape in Q that completely and univocally specifies a
particular experience. Several observations concerning
the neural substrate of consciousness fall naturally
into place within the IIT framework. Among them are the
association of consciousness with certain neural
systems rather than with others; the fact that neural
processes underlying consciousness can influence or be
influenced by neural processes that remain unconscious;
the reduction of consciousness during dreamless sleep
and generalized seizures; and the distinct role of
different cortical architectures in affecting the
quality of experience. Equating consciousness with
integrated information carries several implications for
our view of nature.},
added-at = {2014-07-15T11:32:58.000+0200},
author = {Tononi, Giulio},
biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2ae134d0ef58c03e115e726b662017ec0/mhwombat},
eprint = {http://www.biolbull.org/content/215/3/216.full.pdf+html},
interhash = {009abadd4fc876ce4f5786724e89f38e},
intrahash = {ae134d0ef58c03e115e726b662017ec0},
journal = {The Biological Bulletin},
keywords = {consciousness information_integration phi},
number = 3,
pages = {216--242},
timestamp = {2016-07-12T19:25:30.000+0200},
title = {Consciousness as Integrated Information: a Provisional
Manifesto},
url = {http://www.biolbull.org/content/215/3/216.abstract},
volume = 215,
year = 2008
}