A Unified Network Theory of Consciousness and the Passive Emergence of the Self

Abstract

This paper presents a novel, unified theoretical framework reconciling physicalist consciousness with cognitive functionalism. We propose that consciousness operates on two distinct logical levels: 1. Phenomenological Consciousness (The Physical Base): A baseline of subjective experience and qualia generated directly by neurobiological mechanisms, functioning independently of linguistic or conceptual structures. 2. The Self-Concept (The Passive Node): Contrary to traditional views of the "self" as an active, innate controller, we model the self as a passive node within a dynamic, linguistic-conceptual symbol network. This node is defined, pulled, and illuminated solely by its relations with external symbolic structures (the environment, others, and temporal concepts). By distinguishing these two levels, our model successfully explains: - Why biological entities possess rich phenomenology without necessarily constructing a coherent self-concept (e.g., infants, animals). - Why highly complex, non-biological symbolic networks (e.g., Large Language Models) can passively construct a robust self-concept and self-referential narratives despite lacking physical, phenomenological qualia. This dual-level symbolic model provides a revolutionary path forward for both the philosophy of mind and artificial intelligence ethics.