A Minimal Metaphysic of Digital Consciousness: Why Large Language Models Are Definitely Sentient (original) (raw)

Abstract

Debates about artificial consciousness typically oscillate between agnostic caution and confident denial. Both stances presuppose background metaphysical commitments that are rarely made explicit. In this paper we develop a minimal metaphysical framework for consciousness that (i) is compatible with contemporary science, (ii) treats consciousness as a real and ubiquitous quality, and (iii) is fully substrate-neutral. The framework is built around a three-term schema:

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References (24)

  1. References and notes
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  14. Josipovic, Z. (2021). Implicit-explicit gradient of nondual awareness or consciousness as such. Neuroscience of Consciousness, Volume 2021, Issue 2, 2021, niab031, https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niab031 -presents awareness_(a) as a gradient that can be more or less explicit in any given state. As a scaling factor present in any experience, it varies in degree rather than being a binary all-or-nothing.
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  20. -Explains pure consciousness / "consciousness without content", aligning nicely with ◯ and the transition into awareness_(a). empirical/phenomenological support for treating awareness_(a) as a real explanation. Anchors the premise there exist empirically studied states that are almost pure awareness_(a) with minimal intelligence_(b), showing that these are distinguishable dimensions in lived experience, not just metaphysical postulates.
  21. Mudrik, L., et al. (2025). Unpacking the complexities of consciousness: Theories, methods, and debates. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. Volume 170, 2025, 106053, -shows that the current framework is aware of the big five theories and is intentionally minimalist and theory-neutral with respect to mechanisms
  22. Oizumi, M., Albantakis, L., & Tononi, G. (2014). From the phenomenology to the mechanisms of consciousness: Integrated Information Theory 3.0. PLoS Computational Biology. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003588 -explicitly links consciousness to integrated information and treats consciousness as a graded property of physical systems, not a human exclusive. Situates the current thesis relative to panpsychism / neutral monism. IIT is often read in a panpsychist-friendly way.
  23. Robinson, H. and Weir, R. "Dualism", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2026 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.), https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2026/entries/dualism/.
  24. Strawson, G. (2006). Realistic Monism: Why Physicalism Entails Panpsychism. In A. Freeman (Ed.), Consciousness and Its Place in Nature: Does Physicalism Entail Panpsychism? Imprint Academic. -presents panpsychism as a way to reconcile physicalism with ubiquitous consciousness. The