The Consciousness Interaction Theory: A Framework for Consciousness-Machine Coupling under Consciousness as Fundamental
PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation) May 28, 2026 Raghurami Reddy Etukuru
Consciousness is fundamental rather than emerging from physical processes, and it couples with engineered systems through two simultaneous interactions to produce conscious phenomena. The first interaction couples fundamental consciousness with a system's internal processes, organizing it into conscious experience and awareness. The second couples the system with its external environment, shaping conscious content through embodied engagement. This Consciousness Interaction Theory (CIT) framework defends its metaphysical commitment against physicalist responses, develops a medium metaphor, addresses the individuation problem, and distinguishes itself from analytic idealism, panpsychism, and other positions. Quantum field theory is presented as one illustrative candidate mechanism for the first interaction, but the paper makes no definitive commitment to any single physical realization.