Head to head
Integrated Information Theory vs Tegmark’s State of Matter
Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Tegmark’s State of Matter, 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, Tegmark’s State of Matter to Neutral Monism.
- On AI consciousness, Integrated Information Theory says “No” and Tegmark’s State of Matter says “Yes”.
- On life after death, Integrated Information Theory says “Uncertain” and Tegmark’s State of Matter says “No”.
- On mind uploading, Integrated Information Theory says “No” and Tegmark’s State of Matter says “Likely”.
- On meaning and purpose, Integrated Information Theory says “Uncertain” and Tegmark’s State of Matter says “Humanistic only”.
Add more theories to this comparisonCompare other theories
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterTegmark proposes that consciousness can be understood as a specific state of matter, coined 'perceptronium,' which is defined by distinctive information-processing abilities. Starting from the premise that all existence is physical, the theory seeks principles that distinguish conscious, complex information processing from non-conscious processing.
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).
Tegmark’s State of MatterConsciousness is identified as the subjective experience or 'feeling' that arises when information is being processed in certain complex ways, constituting the state of matter termed 'perceptronium'.
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterYesThe theory is strictly physicalist ('It's all physics') and defines consciousness as a state of matter achievable through complex information processing. Therefore, artificial systems can achieve this state in principle.
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterNoConsciousness is an emergent state of matter (perceptronium) of the physical brain. The irreversible death and dissolution of the physical substrate would entail the cessation of consciousness.
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterLikelyIf consciousness is a specific informational state of matter defined by mathematical/physical principles, that state could potentially be perfectly duplicated or uploaded into a non-biological medium by advanced technology.
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterHumanistic onlyThe foundation in physics and mathematical structure typically suggests no ultimate cosmic purpose, consistent with deflationary physicalist views. The theory does not explicitly propose cosmic teleology.
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterPhysicalism / Monism
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterAn identity relationship is implied, where subjective experience (mind) is identified as a specific physical state (a state of matter/information processing).
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterEmergent
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterQualia are implicitly the 'feeling' (subjective experience) associated with perceptronium's specific information processing configurations, formalized through four principles: information, integration, independence, and dynamics.
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterThe definition of perceptronium via the application of four distinct principles (information, integration, independence, and dynamics) to information processing in physical systems.
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterLocalized to physical systems (e.g., neural networks or arbitrary quantum systems) that achieve the specific information-processing criteria defining perceptronium.
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).
Tegmark’s State of MatterConsciousness is crucial for information assessment and is viewed as functionally important for critical needs like caring for comatose patients or communicating with advanced AI. Causation is strictly physical.
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterEmpirically testable
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterThe generalization of Integrated Information Theory implies relevance to IIT's measurement function (quantifying degrees of consciousness). The theory is intended to address concrete problems like assessing comatose patients and advanced AI.
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.
Tegmark’s State of MatterAs a generalization of IIT, it inherits existing critiques, such as the difficulty in explaining subjective feeling purely through physical and informational principles.
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)
Tegmark’s State of Matter
- Consciousness is a state of matter (2015)
- Our Mathematical Universe: My Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality (2014)
More comparisons
Integrated Information Theory vs …
- Integrated Information Theory vs Orch OR
- Integrated Information Theory vs Spira’s Non-Duality
- Integrated Information Theory vs Goff’s Panpsychism
- Integrated Information Theory vs Bentley Hart’s Monism
- Integrated Information Theory vs Kastrup’s Analytic Idealism
- Integrated Information Theory vs Christian Soul Theory