SRN Theory of Consciousness: A Stability-Rule-Negentropy Framework
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) March 26, 2026 Gaofeng Yuan
The Stability-Rule-Negentropy (SRN) framework offers a testable, physics-based theory for how consciousness emerges in open systems that maintain order (negentropy). It proposes a core criterion: consciousness arises when structural stability, rule-modeling capacity, and active negentropy drive all exceed a threshold around 0.632. This revised version corrects earlier overclaims, refines the definition of qualia as multi-level self-referential summaries generated along individual historical paths rather than mysterious experiences, and clarifies that a quantity called K is an empirical invariance observed in near-critical networks, not a universal law. The framework draws analogies to Kolmogorov turbulence theory without claiming full physical equivalence, and strengthens links between hierarchical axioms, self-reference, and consciousness.