Head to head
Integrated Information Theory vs Meijer’s Universal Knowledge Field
Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Meijer’s Universal Knowledge Field, compared field by field from their entries in the Atlas.
At a glance
- Integrated Information Theory belongs to the Information family in Kuhn's Landscape of Consciousness, Meijer’s Universal Knowledge Field to Idealism.
- On AI consciousness, Integrated Information Theory says “No” and Meijer’s Universal Knowledge Field says “Likely”.
- On life after death, Integrated Information Theory says “Uncertain” and Meijer’s Universal Knowledge Field says “Yes”.
- On mind uploading, Integrated Information Theory says “No” and Meijer’s Universal Knowledge Field says “Likely”.
- On meaning and purpose, Integrated Information Theory says “Uncertain” and Meijer’s Universal Knowledge Field says “Cosmic/Ultimate”.
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The claim
In brief
Integrated Information TheoryIIT is an original, radical model that proposes a definition for conscious experience and specifies which physical systems can possess it, starting from the phenomenology of consciousness (axioms). It translates these axioms into physical postulates based on intrinsic cause-effect power, featuring a mathematical measure Φ(Phi) to quantify a system's capacity for informational integration, which correlates with the degree of consciousness.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldThis theory posits that consciousness exists within a Universal Knowledge Field (UKF), conceived as a collective storage of all information present and evolving in the universe. The UKF is consistent with fundamental physics and cosmological models, and human consciousness is understood as an integral part of this universal consciousness, which interfaces with the brain primarily through harmonic resonance patterns involving specific electromagnetic field frequencies.
What consciousness is
Integrated Information TheoryConsciousness is identified as a Φ-structure, a maximally reduced conceptual structure existing in 'qualia space'. An experience is identical to this conceptual structure, meaning its phenomenal properties correspond precisely to the physical properties of the cause-effect structure unfolded from the physical substrate of consciousness (PSC).
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldConsciousness is identified as a Universal Knowledge Field (UKF) that stores and evolves all information in the universe, of which human consciousness is an integral part.
Big questions
Can AI be conscious?Differ
Integrated Information TheoryNoKoch, a proponent, argues that consciousness is not computable. Digital computers have negligible integrated information (Φ(Phi)) due to hardware structure, meaning they can never be sentient, regardless of intelligence.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldLikelySince consciousness is fundamental (Idealism) and relies on informational/field properties, advanced AI systems capable of achieving the necessary complexity and interacting with the UKF could likely achieve consciousness, though this is not strictly proven by the sources.
Integrated Information TheoryUncertainIf phenomenal consciousness requires a radically new structure (like IIT's postulates), the potential permanence of these 'inscrutable things' cannot be rejected, leaving the possibility of survival open, even though IIT does not explicitly espouse life after death.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldYesAs consciousness is fundamental reality (UKF), individual consciousness (soul/spirit) is an integral part of this ultimate consciousness, persisting beyond the dissolution of the biological body/brain.
Integrated Information TheoryNoIf consciousness is a fundamental property tied to real cause-effect power, a digital simulation (uploading) would only create a 'perfect zombie'—an entity that acts like the original but lacks subjective consciousness—because the simulation is virtual, lacking the required real cause-effect power.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldLikelyGiven that consciousness is a permanent informational field (UKF) that the brain interfaces with, duplicating the informational structure and function of the 'holofractal memory workspace' could allow the specific individual consciousness pattern to be maintained in a non-biological substrate.
Integrated Information TheoryUncertainWhile the measurement and analysis of consciousness do not convey ultimate meaning, the speculative nature and novelty of the innumerable nth dimensional conceptual structures (conscious percepts) warrants suspending judgment on ultimate meaning/purpose/value.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldCosmic/UltimateConsciousness (UKF) is the ground of all being and the organizing principle of the universe, suggesting inherent cosmic meaning and purpose.
Nature of mind
Ontology
Integrated Information TheoryIIT's fundamental ontology is the ontological primacy of phenomenal existence, based on an intrinsic powers view where what truly exists in physical terms are intrinsic entities capable of cause and effect. Koch notes that the theory insists consciousness must be incorporated into the basic description of reality at the rock-bottom level.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldIdealism (Consciousness/Mind is fundamental reality)
Mind and body
Integrated Information TheoryIIT asserts an explanatory identity: an experience is identical to a Φ-structure. It contends that the conscious entity is the Φ-structure expressing its causal powers, not the neural substrate itself. This framework leaves no room for emergence or dualism.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldConsciousness (a scale-invariant mental attribute of reality) is fundamentally non-physical and operates through a holofractal memory workspace associated with the brain (pilot-wave-guided supervenience).
Fundamental or emergent
Integrated Information TheoryConsciousness is defined by intrinsic existence and characterized as belonging to the basic description of reality. The theory rejects emergence.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldPrimitive
Qualia
Integrated Information TheoryDistinct conscious experiences are conceptual structures in a 'qualia space'. The qualitative feel (phenomenal properties) corresponds one-to-one to the physical properties of the maximally irreducible cause-effect structure, which is also called a quale.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldThe origin of qualia is hypothesized to arise from the field-receptive holofractal memory workspace, which functions as a scale-invariant mental attribute of reality associated with the brain.
How it works
Mechanism
Integrated Information TheoryThe core principle is Integrated Information (Φ(Phi)), which quantifies the system's irreducibility. The Exclusion Postulate ensures that only the maximally irreducible cause-effect structure (the Φ-structure) exists intrinsically, defining the boundaries and grain of consciousness.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldConsciousness arises from the non-physical Universal Knowledge Field interfacing with biological systems via harmonic resonance patterns (tonal projections) and integral information processing.
Where it is
Integrated Information TheoryConsciousness is not limited to biological brains. IIT predicts the conscious structure resides in the posterior cortex (occipital, parietal, and temporal cortices). Systems with maximally irreducible intrinsic cause-effect power possess consciousness.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldUniversal (UKF stores all information in the universe). Locally, it is associated with a 'holofractal memory workspace' associated with the brain, which mirrors this cosmic connectivity.
What it does
Integrated Information TheoryConsciousness is identified as unfolded intrinsic causal power, which is the ability to effect change. Only this intrinsic entity (the Φ-structure) can cause, supporting the claim that true free will exists for systems with high Φ(Phi).
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldThe UKF/Consciousness organizes and guides synchronicity, both spatially and temporally, in essential organs such as the heart and brain, acting as a organizing field.
Evidence and criticism
Testability
Integrated Information TheoryIIT claims scientific testability, employing quantitative measurement. However, critics argue that the theory is not truly empirically tested, and its core predictions may be idiosyncratic.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldArguably empirically testable through investigating the specific effects of electromagnetic field frequency patterns in animate and non-animate systems.
Tests so far
Integrated Information TheoryCalculating Φ(Phi) for specific neural networks (e.g., visual cortex).,Monitoring brain activity as subjects slip into anesthesia.,Adversarial collaboration experiments testing predictions about sustained activity in the posterior cortex.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldInvestigating the effects of discrete electromagnetic field frequency patterns on animate and non-animate systems (to verify harmonic resonance patterns).
Criticisms
Integrated Information TheoryThe theory faces criticism for anti-common sense predictions (imputing consciousness to simple objects). A public letter characterized IIT as 'pseudoscience'. Critics challenge that experiments test only idiosyncratic predictions and not the core metaphysical ideas. Chalmers noted the 'pseudoscience' label was disproportionate and caused vast collateral damage.
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge FieldThe reliance on a fundamental non-physical Universal Knowledge Field and the explicit incorporation of transcendental human experience and psi phenomena lead to significant tension with conventional physicalism.
Sources
Key sources
Integrated Information Theory
- From the phenomenology to the mechanisms of consciousness: integrated information theory 3.0, Oizumi, Albantakis, Tononi (2014)
- Consciousness: here, there and everywhere?, Tononi and Koch (2015)
- Only what exists can cause: an intrinsic powers view of free will, Tononi et al. (2022)
Meijer’s Universal Knowledge Field
- Universal consciousness: collective evidence on the basis of current physics and philosophy of mind. Part 1 (2018)
- Consciousness in the universe is tuned by a musical master code, Part 3: a hydrodynamic superfluid quantum space guides a conformal mental attribute of reality (2020)
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