Structural Neural Theory: A Systematic Comparison with the Four Major Theories of Consciousness

A new theory called Structural Neural Theory (SNT) proposes that consciousness is the operation of a specific self-referential feedback circuit in the brain, the Loop, involving the PCC, mPFC/ACC, and cingulum bundle. The paper compares SNT with four leading theories of consciousness: Global Workspace Theory, Integrated Information Theory, Higher-Order Thought Theory, and Predictive Processing. It argues that each of these theories captures only one aspect of the Loop's operation, whereas SNT can independently derive all their core predictions from its own physical premises and generate additional testable predictions they cannot explain.

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Abstract

Structural Neural Theory (SNT) proposes that consciousness is the very operation of the Loop—the self-referential feedback circuit formed by the PCC–mPFC/ACC–cingulum bundle. This paper systematically compares SNT with the four dominant contemporary theories of consciousness: Global Workspace Theory (GNWT), Integrated Information Theory (IIT), Higher-Order Thought Theory (HOT), and Predictive Processing (PP). It reveals that each theory captures only one aspect of the Loop's operation, while SNT can independently derive all core predictions of the four theories from its own physical premises and generate additional testable predictions that they cannot explain.