A Generative Definition of Consciousness Within the GT Framework

Consciousness is defined as a structural process of generative stabilization, not a static substance or exclusively biological property. According to Generative Theory (GT), a system is conscious when it maintains coherent self-world modeling through iterative informational updates. Subjective continuity arises as an emergent invariant of this coherence. The framework is compatible with predictive processing, global workspace theory, integrated information theory, and enactivism. Conscious systems—whether biological or artificial—must sustain coherent generative organization across ongoing information. The work is part of a broader GT research program applying upstream generative explanations to physical, cognitive, informational, and relational systems.

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Abstract

This publication introduces a generative definition of consciousness grounded in the structural principlesof GT (Generative Theory). Within this framework, consciousness emerges when a system maintains coherent self‑world modeling through iterative informational stabilization. The paper develops several core ideas: consciousness as generative stabilization rather than static substance, identity as persistent coherence across transformation, subjective continuity as an emergent structural invariant, coherence dynamics as the foundation of self‑modeling, compatibility with predictive processing, global workspace theory, integrated information theory,and enactivism. The GT framework interprets consciousness as a domain‑independent structural process rather thana biological or metaphysical property. Conscious systems — biological or artificial — must maintain coherent generative organization across ongoing informational updates. This publication is part of the broader GT research program, which develops upstream generative explanations for coherence in physical, cognitive, informational, and relational systems. The work complements the author’s earlier publications on generative stabilization, including Definition of Gravity (Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20697232). Author: Waldemar Superson