Endogenous Reference Fields and Experiential Attribution

A Multidimensional Process Hypothesis

《内生参照场与体验归属：一种多维过程假说及其思想实验检验》

Hongju Liu（刘烘炬） · TA-TR-2026-10 · Version 1.0 · 20 September 2026

Published theoretical preprint. Complete Chinese text with an English title and abstract. Not externally peer reviewed.

Abstract

Consciousness theories must address not only the processes that might realize experience, but also the attribution of experience across descriptions, implementations, learning stages, and temporal scales. The endogenous reference field hypothesis proposes that content-dependent processing and its operative reference constraints reciprocally constitute a running organization with a phenomenal aspect. The paper develops a multidimensional organizational profile of role modulation, reference-mediated influence, decomposition distance, response differentiation, and temporal relations. Two finite constructions establish specific separations. A family of mechanisms has identical maximal modulation strengths but different numbers of distinguishable responses; a second pair agrees on every ordinary input-output sequence but differs under shared internal intervention interfaces. Response differentiation is described by a resolution profile, with invariance under redundant labels and a stability bound under small response changes. A family of inclusion-minimal mechanism supports makes organizational scope explicit relative to a declared response task and omission protocol, while avoiding the identification of support counts with subject counts. Twenty-one thought experiments examine copying, replay, learning losses, asynchronous implementation, gradual replacement, and brain-computer offloading. The contribution is a specific constructive hypothesis and its separation and consistency arguments, rather than a claim to have originated multidimensional consciousness, overlapping subjects, or nonbiological realization. The framework permits graded organizational variation without converting measurement tolerances into consciousness thresholds. It does not derive phenomenal existence, valence, or a unique natural grain from the mathematics. No empirical or computational research experiments are reported.

Scope and publication record

The organizational quantities and finite arguments constrain the proposed hypothesis; they do not independently prove consciousness, pain or a universal subject boundary. No empirical or computational research experiments are reported. The manuscript discloses substantial AI assistance and distinguishes internal argument checks from external peer review.

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