Integrated information theory (IIT) 4.0: Formulating the properties of phenomenal existence in physical terms.
Larissa Albantakis, Leonardo S. Barbosa, Graham Findlay, Matteo Grasso, Andrew M. Haun, William Marshall, William G. P. Mayner, Alireza Zaeemzadeh, Melanie Boly, Bjørn E. Juel, Shuntaro Sasai, Keiko Fujii, Isaac David, Jeremiah Hendren, Jonathan P Lang, Giulio Tononi
PLoS Computational Biology October 17, 2023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011465 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Brain Consciousness Models, neurological Information theory |
| Key points | Proposes that Integrated Information Theory 4.0 accounts for the properties of experience in physical terms by identifying axioms of experience, deriving postulates a substrate must satisfy, and expressing them mathematically. The authors argue the postulates can in principle determine whether any system is conscious, to what degree, and in what way, and that the theory offers a parsimonious explanation of empirical evidence with testable predictions. |
Abstract
This paper presents Integrated Information Theory (IIT) 4.0. IIT aims to account for the properties of experience in physical (operational) terms. It identifies the essential properties of experience (axioms), infers the necessary and sufficient properties that its substrate must satisfy (postulates), and expresses them in mathematical terms. In principle, the postulates can be applied to any system of units in a state to determine whether it is conscious, to what degree, and in what way. IIT offers a parsimonious explanation of empirical evidence, makes testable predictions concerning both the presence and the quality of experience, and permits inferences and extrapolations. IIT 4.0 incorporates several developments of the past ten years, including a more accurate formulation of the axioms as postulates and mathematical expressions, the introduction of a unique measure of intrinsic information that is consistent with the postulates, and an explicit assessment of causal relations. By fully unfolding a system's irreducible cause-effect power, the distinctions and relations specified by a substrate can account for the quality of experience.
Citations in the library
Cited by 147
- An integrative, multiscale view on neural theories of consciousness. Neuron May 15, 2024
- Adversarial testing of global neuronal workspace and integrated information theories of consciousness. Nature June 1, 2025
- Unpacking the complexities of consciousness: Theories and reflections. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews March 1, 2025
- A synergistic workspace for human consciousness revealed by Integrated Information Decomposition. Elife July 18, 2024
- Microtubule-Stabilizer Epothilone B Delays Anesthetic-Induced Unconsciousness in Rats. eNeuro August 1, 2024
and 142 more in the library
Cites 23
- An information integration theory of consciousness BMC Neuroscience November 2, 2004
- Breakdown of Cortical Effective Connectivity During Sleep Science September 29, 2005
- Are the Neural Correlates of Consciousness in the Front or in the Back of the Cerebral Cortex? Clinical and Neuroimaging Evidence Journal of Neuroscience October 4, 2017
- Stratification of unresponsive patients by an independently validated index of brain complexity Annals of Neurology September 22, 2016
- Integrated Information in Discrete Dynamical Systems: Motivation and Theoretical Framework PLoS Computational Biology June 12, 2008
and 18 more in the library