The inner screen model of consciousness: applying the free energy principle directly to the study of conscious experience

TL;DR

This paper introduces the inner screen model of consciousness derived from the free-energy principle, emphasizing the brain's holographic structure and its role in conscious experience and action.

Contribution

It applies the free-energy principle directly to consciousness, integrating quantum and classical formulations with neuro-anatomical and holographic insights.

Findings

The inner screen hypothesis from quantum FEP explains consciousness.

Holographic brain structure supports conscious action.

FEP provides a unified framework for neuro-anatomy and consciousness.

Abstract

This paper presents a model of consciousness that follows directly from the free-energy principle (FEP). We first rehearse the classical and quantum formulations of the FEP. In particular, we consider the inner screen hypothesis that follows from the quantum information theoretic version of the FEP. We then review applications of the FEP to the known sparse (nested and hierarchical) neuro-anatomy of the brain. We focus on the holographic structure of the brain, and how this structure supports (overt and covert) action.