For years, Hakwan Lau, a neuroscientist, has been plagued by an internal struggle. Lau studies the phenomenon of awareness that we all experience while awake. The mystery of how this awareness arises from ordinary matter has fascinated scientists for centuries. Among the various scientific theories attempting to explain it, Lau finds integrated information theory (IIT) to be overhyped and lacking in scientific rigor. He is troubled by its proponents’ affinity for New Age figures like Deepak Chopra and annoyed by its disproportionate media attention.
IIT, first developed by Giulio Tononi in 2004, quantifies consciousness in any system based on the information brought together by its constituent parts. Unlike other theories, which provide a general narrative, IIT offers a mathematical expression of how consciousness is generated by the brain. Controversially, IIT suggests that even systems like photodiodes and thermostats could possess consciousness. While some neuroscientists, like Anil Seth, label it as “a bonkers theory,” Lau worries that it could be misinterpreted by naive students and damage the field’s reputation.
Lau decided to rally his colleagues against IIT and drafted a letter expressing their collective disdain for the theory. After weeks of revisions and input from multiple scientists, the letter received 124 signatures from a diverse group of neuroscientists, behavioral scientists, philosophers, and psychologists. However, the letter’s substance was somewhat lacking, targeting the media portrayals of IIT rather than its scientific foundations. Some critics even argued that it unfairly labeled IIT as pseudoscience without providing sufficient evidence.
Upon its release, the letter sparked immediate backlash, with scientists accusing its authors of intellectual dishonesty and mudslinging. The conflict even spilled over onto Wikipedia, where edits were made to debate whether IIT should be tagged as pseudoscience. Some signatories of the letter claimed to have received threats of personal and professional consequences. The inclusion of renowned philosopher Daniel Dennett added weight to the letter but also raised eyebrows, as he is seen as removed from the field’s front lines.
Critics of the letter believe that the field should maintain its appearance for the sake of continued funding, echoing Lau’s own concerns. They argue that labeling a theory as pseudoscience could fuel skepticism and harm the entire field. However, proponents argue that IIT’s formal mathematical framework sets it apart from other story-based theories of consciousness. They contend that without a precise mathematical model, it becomes challenging to determine which theories deserve the pseudoscience label. This disagreement has led to a metaphorical battle, with individuals arguing over who is closest to the truth while standing on metaphorical step ladders in a field.
In the end, the debate over IIT and its portrayal in the scientific community continues, unresolved. The clash between scientists highlights the sensitivity of the field of consciousness studies, which has long fought for recognition and funding. With ongoing advancements in technology, scientists hope to conduct more meaningful experiments to shed light on the nature of consciousness and quiet the escalating disputes.
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