Emergent Predictive Experience Theory (EPET): An Integrative Philosophy of Consciousness

Consciousness is not a substance or fundamental property but an emergent, dynamic process arising from integrated predictive modeling in an embodied, action-oriented system, according to the Emergent Predictive Experience Theory (EPET). Subjective qualities (qualia) are intrinsic properties of this modeling process, reflecting the system's assessment of interaction relevance for its own viability. The sense of self is a dynamic construct from recursive self-modeling, compatible with the Buddhist doctrine of no-self (Anattā). EPET synthesizes Predictive Processing, Global Workspace Theory, embodied cognition, and Buddhist principles to offer a naturalistic, non-reductive explanation of conscious experience, avoiding dualism, panpsychism, and illusionism.

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Abstract

This paper introduces the Emergent Predictive Experience Theory (EPET), an integrative framework addressing the hard problem of consciousness from a non-reductive emergentist physicalist perspective. EPET synthesizes key insights from Predictive Processing (PP), Global Workspace Theory (GWT), embodied cognition, and core Buddhist philosophical principles (notably Anattā - no-self, and Paṭiccasamuppāda - dependent origination). The theory posits consciousness not as a substance or fundamental property, but as a real, emergent, dynamic process realized through integrated predictive modeling within an embodied, action-oriented system. **Offering a constitutive account**, it explains subjective quality (qualia) not as an epiphenomenal add-on, but as intrinsic properties of this modeling process itself, reflecting the system's ongoing assessment of interaction relevance for its own viability. The phenomenal sense of self is interpreted as a dynamic construct arising from recursive self-modeling within the predictive architecture, an account compatible with the Buddhist doctrine of Anattā. By integrating these scientific and philosophical perspectives, EPET aims to provide a coherent, naturalistic, and empirically grounded explanation of conscious experience, avoiding the pitfalls of substance dualism, panpsychism, and strong reductionism/illusionism, while offering a heuristically valuable framework for future interdisciplinary research and generating testable hypotheses.