Hi Everyone,
Preprint: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202604.1390
My paper just got accepted at the AGI-2026 conference. It proposes a quantitative metric on "self-reasoning" based on the information content of self-models. There is disruption potential, because FC captures the "functional substrate" of several important theories of mind. This is only hinted in the paper, so I am looking for a co-author to expand this argument for a submission to a philosophy of mind conference (MoC7 Copenhagen or a similar).
The Project
The paper operationalizes "Functional Consciousness" (FC) as a formal metric on "a system's capacity to access and reason about its internal states" using self-models as the unit of analysis. The resulting score (FCS = R·P) combines Representational capacity and reasoning Power, and has been benchmarked across systems from a Waymo L4 taxi to human working memory: https://functional-consciousness.com/
The Philosophical Angle
There is a mathematical proof that FC operationalizes HOT: https://functional-consciousness.com/faq/does-fc-operationalize-hot
I further argue that FC captures the "functional substrate" common to the "big five" theories of consciousness (IIT, GWT, AST, HOT, and PP): https://functional-consciousness.com/faq/big-five-theories-of-consciousness-comparison
The basic formal and empirical work on the metric is done. Your contribution would be on the philosophical side, preparing the challenge on the big five within the framework FC establishes.
What I Need From a Co-Author
The formal, mathematical, and empirical foundations of the metric are complete. I am looking for a philosopher to sharpen the theoretical argumentation. Specifically, I need help:
- Defending the bracketing of the hard problem, and looking into the implications.
- Articulating the divergence from Integrated Information Theory’s (IIT).
- Framing FC as a common functional substrate to challenge the explanatory necessity of the "big five" theories.
About Me
I've got an IT background, though I studied two years of philosophy during my degree. While I have a solid grasp of the foundational concepts, I want to collaborate with someone who can ensure the paper withstand rigorous philosophical scrutiny.
If this sounds like a project you want to collaborate on, please send me a DM or contact me!