Consciousness at the Intersection: A Model of Consciousness as the Product of Processing and Biological Need
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) July 17, 2026 Hamed Rezaei
Consciousness arises from the interaction between information processing and biological need, not from either alone. A mathematical model treats consciousness as the product of processing capacity and biological need, with processing declining as a power function once need exceeds a homeostatic threshold. The model predicts an inverted-U relationship between biological need and consciousness, with maximum consciousness near the homeostatic set point. Five testable predictions are derived, and the model is situated relative to Integrated Information Theory, Global Workspace Theory, and Higher-Order Theories. The framework suggests consciousness cannot be a fixed, transferable substance, and artificial general intelligence may require coupling information-processing systems to genuine biological-style needs.