Is Consciousness Computable? Quantifying Integrated Information Using Algorithmic Information Theory
arXiv Preprint Archive May 1, 2014 Phil Maguire, Philippe Moser, Rebecca Maguire et al.
Consciousness, as proposed by Tononi's integrated information theory, is better understood as a lossless rather than a lossy integrative process. Previous formalizations relied on information loss, which would imply continuous damage to existing memories. Using algorithmic information theory, the authors formalize lossless integration and prove that complete lossless integration requires noncomputable functions. This means that if unitary consciousness exists, it cannot be modeled computationally.