Causal Set Quantum Gravity and the Hard Problem of Consciousness

TL;DR

This paper explores how causal set quantum gravity's process of spacetime atom creation may be linked to conscious experience, suggesting that internal perception reflects the universe's fundamental birth process.

Contribution

It proposes a novel connection between the birth of spacetime atoms in causal set theory and conscious perception, integrating physics and consciousness studies.

Findings

Links neural correlates of consciousness to spacetime atom birth process

Suggests internal experience reflects the universe's fundamental birth process

Proposes that consciousness is tied to the ongoing partial order of spacetime creation

Abstract

I develop Rafael D. Sorkin's proposal that a partially ordered process of the birth of spacetime atoms in causal set quantum gravity provides an objective physical correlate of our perception of time passing. I argue that one cannot have a fully objective, external picture of the birth process because the order in which the spacetime atoms are born is a partial order. I propose that live experience in causal set theory is an internal view of the objective birth process in which events that are neural correlates of consciousness occur. In causal set theory, what ``breathes fire'' into a neural correlate of consciousness is that which breathes fire into the whole universe: the unceasing, partially ordered process of the birth of spacetime atoms.