Integrated Information Theory and the Quality of Consciousness
Journal of Consciousness Studies June 1, 2026 DOI: 10.53765/20512201.33.5.49 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that IIT overlooks the qualitative or 'material' dimensions of experience, providing only a formal model. Proposes that material research, illustrated by the natural color system and pain quality space, could complement and improve IIT's formal approach. |
Abstract
Integrated information theory (IIT) is celebrated for its formal modelling of consciousness. But drawing on the framework of formal-material ontology, this paper argues that IIT fails to take the qualitative or ‘material’ dimensions of experience into consideration, providing us with a formal skeleton devoid of flesh and blood. Through cases of the natural colour system and the quality space of pain, the research highlights what kinds of material research could be complementary and beneficial to IIT’s formal approach.