Cross-Disciplinary Evidential Substitution in AI Consciousness Research: An Epistemic Boundary Integrity Framework
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) June 17, 2026 Osama S Qatrani
Claims about artificial consciousness often mix evidence from different fields—behavior, computation, neuroscience, philosophy, and religion—without a clear, testable link between them. This paper identifies that error as cross-disciplinary evidential substitution (CDES) and proposes an Epistemic Boundary Integrity Framework (EBIF). The framework separates evidence into three levels (observable behavior, implemented mechanism, theory-linked indicators) and a fourth target claim (phenomenal attribution). It then checks each inference with five tests: domain declaration, operational definition, causal bridge, rival discrimination, and independent audit. The core rule is proportionality: conclusions must not exceed the supporting evidence and warrant. The framework is made testable through worked audits and a preregisterable validation strategy.