SRN Theory of Consciousness: A Stability-Rule-Negentropy Framework

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.

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Abstract

The Stability-Rule-Negentropy (SRN) framework establishes a testable, physics-grounded paradigm for consciousness emergence in open negentropic systems, centered on the Wooden Barrel Constraint as the core emergence criterion: c = min(S,R,N) > θ ≈ 0.632, where S denotes structural stability, R denotes rule modeling capacity, and N denotes active negentropy drive. This optimized version ad- dresses critical overclaiming issues, refines theoretical rigor to align with complex systems and theoretical physics journal standards, and enhances the framework’s philosophical and empirical coherence. Key re- visions include: (1) redefining the rhythm-related quantity K from a ”universal conservation law” to a robust empirical invariance observed across diverse network topologies in the near-critical regime; (2) reconstructing qualia dynamics via a dual framework of individual private rule modeling and social pub- lic symbol coupling, eliminating ambiguous terminology and tightening theoretical boundaries to avoid panpsychism risks; (3) clarifying the formal analogy between SRN critical dynamics and Kolmogorov turbulence theory, without overstating physical isomorphism; (4) strengthening the logical linkage be- tween the hierarchical axiom system, self-referential closure, and consciousness emergence; (5) refining falsifiable empirical propositions to align with the current state of evidence. The revised framework retains all core logical structure and observational insights of the original SRN theory, while eliminating high-risk overclaiming, enhancing academic rigor, and maintaining full explanatory power for conscious- ness emergence, critical neural dynamics, and cross-domain complex system behavior. (6)This revised version optimizes the qualia dynamics and philosophical grounding, focusing on a refined interpretation of Chalmers’ hard problem of consciousness. Specifically, it reconstructs subjective qualia generation from the dual dimensions of individual private rule modeling and social public symbol coupling, clarifying that qualia are multi-level self-referential summaries generated by the R-axis along unique individual historical paths, rather than mysterious subjective experiences. Keywords: SRN Framework; Consciousness Emergence; Critical Phase Transition; Negentropy; Qualia; Hard Problem; Hopf Bifurcation; Empirical Invariance; Complex Systems