Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
ZENODOarrow_drop_down
ZENODO
Research . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Research . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

Where Structure Ends - A boundary problem for objectivity-as-invariance and a diagnostic for structural theories of consciousness

Authors: Ullman, Gustaf;

Where Structure Ends - A boundary problem for objectivity-as-invariance and a diagnostic for structural theories of consciousness

Abstract

This preprint develops a structural boundary problem for “objectivity-as-invariance” within the Observer-Equivariance (OE) framework. We model the space of observer perspectives as a groupoid O and treat physical structure S as what descends under the relevant equivalence (written informally as S ≃ O/G). A central constraint is forgetfulness: distinct perspectives may project to the same structural description, so the projection Proj: O -> S is not expected to be injective on objects in any OE-relevant sense. We then introduce an internal notion of a limit of structure. Fixing an OE-relevant invariant signature I, we order structural descriptions by comparative “differentiation” and define a minimal regime S_min in which the essential image of Proj collapses to a single OE-relevant isomorphism class. This isolates a principled sense in which structural description can become maximally symmetric and correspondingly insensitive to phenomenological distinction. On the metaphysical side, we formulate an Ontological Closure Principle (OCP) as a defeasible constraint against strong emergence “solely by rearrangement of non-phenomenal facts”. This blocks appeals to brute psycho-physical bridging laws as explanatory solutions (they may label correlations but do not bridge the ontological gap). Finally, we derive a Quotient Test for theories of consciousness: any candidate “public” quantity Q proposed to capture phenomenality faces a dilemma. If Q is invariant under admissible representational transformations, it descends to S and is therefore fiber-blind; if it fails to descend, it depends on perspective and cannot function as an objective physical observable in the usual sense. The test is applied as a diagnostic to structural proposals in the vicinity of Integrated Information Theory and functionalist/AI approaches, emphasizing that admissible transformations must be stated explicitly and defended as OE-relevant. The paper is intended both (i) to isolate an internal boundary problem for OE-style objectivity, and (ii) to provide an operational diagnostic for structural theories that attempt to identify public structure with private phenomenality.

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Upload OA version
Are you the author of this publication? Upload your Open Access version to Zenodo!
It’s fast and easy, just two clicks!