>>23924454What Consciousness May Be
Speculatively, building on our syntheses, it could extend further—these are possibilities that align with the evidence but aren't proven:
Panpsychist or universal: Fully fundamental, like in panpsychism—present in all matter, even particles, combining into richer forms in life (e.g., cells "feeling" via microtubules or bioelectric fields). This would explain why convergence happens: Consciousness as a cosmic attractor, guiding patterns beyond biology.
Informational or integrated: As in Integrated Information Theory (IIT)—a measure of causal integration (phi), where any system with enough interconnected feedback has experience. In biology, this scales from microbial networks (quorum sensing as proto-) to brains (full qualia for decision-making). It may be recreatable in non-bio substrates like AI, suggesting it's substrate-independent.
Bioelectric or field-based: Tied to electric patterns in cells (e.g., voltage gradients directing development or behavior). This could explain deformities without single genes or how microbes "decide"—consciousness as a field property, co-evolving with entropy to counter decay.
Non-adaptive or illusory in parts: It might not "aid" anything directly (zombie worlds could replicate behaviors), serving as a byproduct in complex life but fundamental elsewhere—uplifting (meaning intrinsic) or neutral (no function, just is).
