The transcendental deduction of Integrated Information Theory: connecting the axioms, postulates, and identity through categories

This paper deals with a foundational aspect of Integrated Information Theory (IIT) consciousness: the nature relation between axioms phenomenology and postulates cause-effect power. There has been lack clarity in literature regarding this crucial issue, for which IIT received much criticism its axiomatic method basic tenets. The present contribution elucidates problem by means categorial analysis theory’s foundations. Its main results are that: (i) set nine fundamental concepts reason, called categories, constitute lexicon through it formulates system principles incorporating axioms, postulates, central identity; (ii) connection is grounded their common root lexicon, categories find justification phenomenological transcendental deduction. Some further unique origin categories; distinction conceptual formalized postulates; clarification uniqueness lexica general; an account objectivity explicating how physical (re)defined categories. All put to use against various targeting IIT’s theoretical core. If successful, proposed interpretation illuminates issue contemporary study consciousness contributes environment mutual understanding defenders critics theory.