The strength of weak integrated information theory

Imagine going to an ice cream shop with a friend who can’t decide on a flavor. You suggest that they try the strong IIT, which focuses on specific properties tied to high levels of integrated information and identifies consciousness with those aspects. But they’re not convinced, so you propose trying weak IIT instead. This version examines how different aspects of consciousness relate to broader measures of information dynamics. By distinguishing between these two flavors, we can expand the reach and practicality of the integrated information theory of consciousness. Critics argue that IIT is untestable, but by embracing weak IIT and testing pragmatic hypotheses, we can find new insights and answers to the enigmatic ‘hard problem’ of consciousness.

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