A Modular Theory of Subjective Consciousness for Natural and Artificial Minds
arXiv Preprint Archive October 2, 2025 Michaël Gillon
Consciousness can be understood as a discrete sequence of integrated informational states, each tagged with a density vector that quantifies its richness and correlates with subjective intensity. This framework, the Modular Consciousness Theory, proposes a computational pipeline in which inputs are filtered, processed by specialized modules, and integrated into packets that influence memory, behavior, and decision-making. States with higher density exert greater impact on long-term memory and action. The theory reframes subjectivity as a functional signal, generates testable predictions—such as stress enhancing memory encoding—and offers a blueprint for building conscious architectures in both biological and artificial systems.