integrated information theory
IN-teh-gray-ted in-for-MAY-shun THEER-ee
/ˈɪntɪɡreɪtɪd ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃən ˈθɪəri/Listen
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Dictionary meaning
A mathematical theory of consciousness (IIT) developed by Giulio Tononi proposing that consciousness is identical to integrated information (phi, Φ) — the amount of information generated by a system as a whole beyond that generated by its parts; the theory predicts which physical systems are conscious and to what degree
History and origin
Proposed by Giulio Tononi in 2004; extended in multiple versions (IIT 2.0, 3.0, 4.0); one of the most mathematically rigorous but also most controversial theories of consciousness
Examples
- Integrated information theory assigns a phi value to systems: a system with high phi — high integration — is highly conscious.
- IIT's controversial implication is that a sufficiently connected artificial system, or even the internet, could in principle be conscious.
Synonyms: IIT, phi theory
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