Emergent Predictive Experience Theory (EPET): A Constitutive, Emergentist-Predictive Account of Qualia

A philosophical argument integrates Predictive Processing and Global Workspace Theory within a non-reductive emergentist framework to explain qualia—the subjective, phenomenal character of experience. The thesis holds that qualia are not mysterious byproducts or illusions but are constituted by intrinsic properties of the integrated, embodied predictive modeling process itself. By reframing the explanatory question from 'generation' to 'realization,' the account aims to dissolve the hard problem of consciousness while avoiding panpsychism and strong illusionism, affirming the reality of subjective experience within a naturalistic, physicalist worldview.

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Abstract

This paper presents a constitutive, emergentist-predictive account of qualiadesigned to address the ‘hard problem’ of consciousness within a naturalistic,physicalist framework. It argues that by integrating two leading paradigmsfrom cognitive science—Predictive Processing (PP) and Global Workspace Theory(GWT)—and grounding this synthesis in a consistent non-reductive (weak)emergentism, we can provide a coherent explanation for the phenomenalcharacter of experience. The core thesis posits that qualia are not mysteriousbyproducts or illusions, but are constituted by, or identical to, specificintrinsic properties of the integrated, embodied predictive modeling processitself. This framework aims to dissolve the explanatory gap by reframing thequestion from “generation” to “realization,” thereby avoiding the metaphysicalextremes of both panpsychism and strong illusionism while affirming the realityof subjective experience.