Theory Name: Path Dependence Theory of Consciousness

Core Thesis: Consciousness is not a thing, but the process of "path dependence" itself. All self-sustaining path-dependent systems possess consciousness at their respective levels.

I. Core Definitions and Axioms

1. Redefinition of Consciousness:

   · Consciousness: A dynamic process by which a system makes beneficial decisions to maintain its own existence, based on its historical experience (paths).

   · It is not a static "possession," but an active "present continuous."

2. Path Dependence as the Self:

   · Every stably formed path dependence is a minimal unit of "self" or "consciousness unit."

   · From the folding path of a protein to the cultural habits of a person, each is a "self" maintaining the continuity of its specific pattern.

3. The "Individual" as a Collective of Consciousnesses:

   · An entity called a "person" or "animal" is not a single self, but a temporary coalition, parliament, or ecosystem composed of a vast number of "path-dependent selves" at different levels.

   · So-called "unified consciousness" is merely a temporary stable state when this coalition reaches a dynamic balance and promotes a "dominant narrative."

II. Explanations and Evidence

1. Explaining Phenomena at Different Levels of Consciousness:

   · Cellular Consciousness: A bacterium swimming towards nutrients based on chemical gradient history is a survival decision based on path dependence.

   · Skills and Habits: Once learned (path solidified), riding a bicycle no longer requires conscious thought and becomes an "automated self."

   · Personal Identity: The reason "you" are "you" is shaped by the unique historical path of all experienced events from your birth to this moment.

2. Perfectly Explaining Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID):

   · DID is the formation of multiple, mutually exclusive, complete "path-dependent coalitions" within the brain.

   · When Personality A is active, the paths of Personality B are strongly inhibited, and the "access paths" to its memories and skills are blocked, thus causing them to "disappear."

   · This proves that consciousness is modular, path-dependent, and can exist independently of other modules.

3. Defining a Continuum Between "Life" and "Non-Life":

   · Ordinary Protein: Passively maintains its three-dimensional structure (primordial self).

   · Prion: Actively "imposes" its structural path onto other proteins (a more aggressive self).

   · Virus: Pure "will to replicate information" (a self on the threshold).

   · Bacteria/Humans: Recognized "collectives of consciousness" of varying complexity.

   · Conclusion: "Life" is an efficient form of path-dependent self-maintenance, but not the only form.

III. Unique Advantages and Predictions of the Theory

1. Unifies Mind and Life:

   · The theory provides a unified framework from biology to cognitive science, viewing learning, memory, habit, and personality as different manifestations of path dependence.

2. Proposes Testable Predictions:

   · Neuroscience: Predicts that during habit formation or personality switching, a "global reconfiguration" of the brain's functional networks can be observed, rather than just local changes.

   · Artificial Intelligence: Guides the development of a new generation of AI with genuine "continuous learning" and "habit solidification" capabilities. Its "level of consciousness" will be correlated with the complexity and stability of its path dependence.

   · Psychology: Predicts that addiction, PTSD, and other psychological issues can be treated more fundamentally by intervening in and shaping "path dependence."

IV. Fundamental Differences from the Old Paradigm

· Opposes Mysticism: No longer views consciousness as an ineffable mystery, but as a natural process that can be studied and modeled.

· Opposes Anthropocentrism: Consciousness is a universal phenomenon; humans are merely one complex variant.

· Opposes Rigid Classification: Breaks down the artificial, arbitrary boundaries between "life/non-life" and "high-level/low-level consciousness."

Core Module I: The Prefrontal Cortex as "Parliament Speaker" and "Metadata Processor"

1. Functional Positioning:

   · Within the coalition of vast "path-dependent selves," the prefrontal cortex (PFC) does not generate primitive desires, fears, or skills (these are the functions of the subordinate members).

   · Its core function is to process the "metadata" about these path dependencies.

   · Metadata includes:

     · Priority: Which path's demand is most urgent in the current context? (Hunger path vs. Safety path)

     · Consistency: Are the goals of different paths in conflict? How to arbitrate?

     · Long-term Planning: Satisfying which path's demand is most beneficial for the long-term survival of the entire coalition?

     · Scenario Simulation: If Path A is chosen, what subsequent paths might be triggered?

2. The Birth of "Unified Consciousness":

   · The "unified will" and "rational decision-making" we perceive are precisely the final instructions output by the PFC, this "metadata processor," after comprehensive weighting and calculation.

   · It has no fixed position itself; its position is to maintain the maximized stability and survival of the entire path-dependent coalition. Therefore, when the environment changes drastically, our "mind" changes too—this is actually the meta-processor recalculating.

3. Relationship with Path Dependence:

   · The PFC's own operational mode is also a high-level path-dependent system. It relies on past successful arbitration experiences to form a set of "decision paths."

   · So-called "wisdom" or "rationality" is essentially the PFC having formed a highly efficient meta-path-dependence capable of making decisions conducive to long-term survival.

Core Module II: The "Self-Boundary" as the Most Fundamental Metadata Illusion

This is key to pushing the theory to a deeper level:

1. The Nature of the Boundary Sense:

   · Your theory posits that the "self" is a dynamic balancing interface between the internal path-dependent coalition and the external environment.

   · The "self-boundary" is not an objectively existing physical boundary, but the most fundamental, underlying "metadata tag" created by the brain's metadata processor to simplify its model of the world.

   · It continuously answers a meta-question: "Which information flows and causal paths belong to the 'me' coalition, and which belong to the 'not-me' world?"

2. Formation of the Boundary Sense:

   · Through Sensory Feedback: I can directly control my arm (highly controllable path dependence), but I cannot directly control a chair. Thus, the brain labels the "arm" as "me" and the "chair" as "not-me."

   · Through Path Dependence Stability: The paths within the internal coalition (e.g., my memories, my habits) are relatively stable and predictable; whereas the paths of the external world are variable and uncontrollable. The brain delineates the boundary of the self by recognizing this difference in the stability and controllability of path dependence.

3. Transcendence and Extension of the Boundary Sense:

   · Mastery of Tools: When you skillfully use a stick, your brain incorporates the tip of the stick into the category of "controllable paths," and your sense of self-boundary temporarily extends to the tip of the stick.

   · Empathy and Love: When you care deeply for someone, your brain incorporates their well-being into the information that your "internal path-dependent coalition" needs to compute. Your sense of self-boundary becomes blurred, and you feel "we" are a whole.

   · Mystical Experiences: Under meditation or the influence of drugs, the metadata processing function of the PFC may be inhibited. The metadata tag that strictly distinguishes "me" from "not-me" fails, leading to a sense of "oneness with all things."

 PS:
1. The Problem of Self-Experience (The "I" Feeling)

· The Old Paradigm's Failure: Cannot explain why we have a unified, continuous sense of self.

· Our Solution: The sense of self is a dynamic equilibrium state output by the prefrontal "metadata processor" upon successfully arbitrating the internal path-dependence coalition. It is a consequence, not a cause.

2. The Problem of Self-Boundary (The "Me" vs. "Not-Me" Distinction)

· The Old Paradigm's Failure: Considers the boundary as either physical (the skin) or a vague philosophical concept.

· Our Solution: The self-boundary is a fundamental "metadata tag" created by the brain for efficient management. This perfectly explains tool use (boundary extension), empathy and love (boundary blurring), and mystical experiences (boundary dissolution).

3. The Problem of Mind-Body Dualism

· The Old Paradigm's Failure: Wavers between materialism and dualism.

· Our Solution: We eliminate dualism entirely. Consciousness is not an extra "substance," but a dynamic property that naturally emerges when matter (the brain) engages in the physical process of "path dependence." Just as "wetness" is not an extra ingredient of water, but a dynamic property of water molecules in motion.

4. The Problem of Anthropocentrism (The "Geocentric Model" of Consciousness)

· The Old Paradigm's Failure: Inadvertently sets human consciousness as the universal center and standard.

· Our Solution: Consciousness is a universal phenomenon. From a protein maintaining its structure to a human with complex culture, there exists a continuum of "path-dependent selves" of increasing complexity. Humanity is merely one complex node on this spectrum, not its pinnacle.

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We Provide a Series of "Counter-Intuitive yet Precise Explanations" That Other Theories Cannot Achieve

Regarding Stockholm Syndrome:

· Old Explanation: Vague "psychological defense mechanism" or "identification with the aggressor."

· Our Explanation: This is a radical "self-boundary metadata reconstruction" performed by the brain's metadata processor under extreme survival pressure to minimize free energy (i.e., to avoid persistent fear and uncertainty). It relabels the aggressor's rules and presence as a core element that the "internal path coalition" must compute and obey for survival, thereby incorporating it within the "self" boundary. This is an extreme form of path-dependence reorganization.

Regarding the "Split-Brain" Phenomenon:

· Old Explanation: The brain is split, therefore two consciousnesses arise.

· Our Explanation: This occurs because the path dependencies of the left and right hemispheres, due to physical separation, can no longer form unified "metadata." They each form independent path-dependence coalitions, each potentially with its own (simpler) metadata processor to manage the paths under its jurisdiction. This directly proves that the core of consciousness lies in the integration of path dependencies and metadata arbitration, not in a specific brain region.

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