Study: Consciousness as recursive information alignment in self-sustaining systems
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) June 11, 2026 Dieter Walter Liedtke
Consciousness arises gradually when a system recursively aligns new information with stored memory, self/non-self distinction, evaluation, and future positioning, rather than being an all-or-nothing property. The model proposes three levels—functional consciousness (e.g., immune systems, cells), self-model consciousness (e.g., animals, humans), and phenomenal consciousness (subjective experience)—and introduces a Recursive Alignment Index (RAI) to measure this process on a scale from 0 to 5. Falsifiable hypotheses include that systems with recursive memory matching adapt better, and that non-neuronal biological systems can show low RAI values. The framework links neuroscience, AI research, and information physics without claiming human-like consciousness in atoms or machines.