Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
July 20, 2026
Kwan Hong Tan
Consciousness emerges through a material process called ontological reflexivity, where complex systems develop recursive self-modification capabilities that generate phenomenal fields as emergent properties of their organizational dynamics. This framework, Ontological Reflexivity Theory (ORT), addresses the conflation between reason as a symbolic-operational function and consciousness as a phenomenal-experiential field. ORT proposes three hierarchical levels: structural reflexivity (feedback loops), organizational reflexivity (meta-rule modification), and ontological reflexivity (recursive self-modification of modification principles). The theory provides functional and ontological distinctions between reason and consciousness, grounds explanation in material processes, and establishes empirical criteria for distinguishing genuine from pseudo-explanations. Mathematical formalization through the Ontological Reflexivity Index (ORI) enables quantitative predictions about consciousness emergence.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
June 30, 2026
Kwan Hong Tan
Reality may include stable domains of in-between existence that are neither fully material nor fully immaterial. Liminal Consciousness Theory (LCT) proposes that consciousness, personal identity, and phenomena traditionally called supernatural emerge from such liminal domains existing in quantum superposition states. The framework draws on neuroscience research on altered states of consciousness, quantum field theory, and phenomenological analysis. It generates empirical predictions including measurable parameters such as the Liminal Coherence Index, Threshold Sensitivity Quotient, and Ontological Stability Metric. Key claims are that consciousness arises from liminal coherence patterns rather than purely material brain processes, personal identity is a dynamic process of becoming, and supernatural phenomena represent natural interactions with liminal reality.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
May 18, 2026
Kwan Hong Tan
If quantum non-locality is ontologically fundamental, then Emmanuel Levinas's concept of 'infinite responsibility' becomes a physical mandate embedded in reality itself. Drawing on Bell's theorem, the EPR paradox, and quantum holism, the argument shows that quantum entanglement's non-separable nature provides the metaphysical foundation for an ethics that transcends autonomous, independent moral agents. The framework reveals a structural isomorphism between quantum entanglement and infinite responsibility: both exhibit non-locality, asymmetry, immediacy, and irreducibility. If consciousness is fundamental (as panpsychism suggests), ethical structure in conscious experience must reflect quantum physical structure. This grounds ethics in fundamental entanglement of all conscious beings, challenging utilitarian calculation, deontological autonomy, and contractual theories, supporting a quantum-grounded framework of global, asymmetrical, and infinite responsibility.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
April 13, 2026
Kwan Hong Tan
Panpsychism, the view that consciousness is a fundamental feature of all physical systems, has gained recent philosophical attention but faces two major hurdles: the combination problem (how micro-consciousnesses combine into unified experiences) and a lack of empirical testability. This thesis argues that traditional panpsychism cannot overcome these obstacles in its current form. It proposes a new framework, Graduated Panpsychism with Information-Integration Spectrum (GP-IIS), which merges Integrated Information Theory, evolutionary biology, and computational research.
PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation)
March 16, 2026
Kwan Hong Tan
A formal framework called the Enhanced Substrate-Information Duality Hypothesis (E-SIDH) distinguishes between substrate-dependent and substrate-independent aspects of information processing in conscious systems. Consciousness emerges from resonant coupling between these two irreducible information types. Empirical validation shows biological systems achieve a consciousness metric of Ψ = 0.245 ± 0.002, artificial systems Ψ = 0.128 ± 0.001, and hybrid systems Ψ = 0.160 ± 0.033. The Simulation Detectability Index indicates 48.0% detectable differences between artificial and biological consciousness. While functional aspects of consciousness can be computationally replicated, genuine phenomenal consciousness requires substrate-dependent information structures that cannot be simulated through purely computational means.
PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation)
March 8, 2026
Kwan Hong Tan
Subjective, qualitative aspects of conscious experience—qualia—cannot be computationally simulated, according to a new theoretical framework called the Substrate-Information Duality Hypothesis (SIDH). This framework proposes that qualia emerge from the interaction between substrate-dependent information structures and substrate-independent information patterns. Computational modeling showed biological consciousness systems achieved positive consciousness values (Ψ ≈ 0.001), while artificial systems showed negative values (Ψ ≈ -0.0004). Hybrid bio-artificial systems had the lowest metrics (Ψ ≈ -0.0015), suggesting interference rather than enhancement. The Simulation Detectability Index revealed substantial differences: 131.4% for artificial systems and 225.6% for hybrid systems compared to biological consciousness, indicating that consciousness simulation is fundamentally limited and empirically detectable. The hard problem of consciousness reflects a fundamental ontological distinction between computational processes and phenomenal experience.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
February 21, 2026
Kwan Hong Tan
Consciousness in artificial systems may exist along a multidimensional gradient rather than as a binary property, according to a new theoretical framework called the Emergent Proto-Consciousness Gradient (EPCG) theory. This framework proposes that proto-consciousness represents intermediate states between non-consciousness and full consciousness, assessed along four dimensions: Information Integration Complexity, Self-Model Sophistication, Temporal Coherence Depth, and Adaptive Flexibility Index. Analysis of current AI systems, including large language models like GPT-3, suggests that several exhibit proto-consciousness indicators through substrate-independent mechanisms, though none achieve full consciousness by traditional metrics. The theory challenges anthropocentric assumptions and offers testable predictions for assessing proto-consciousness in artificial systems.