On The Causal Structure of Conscious Identity

This paper proposes a foundational framework for understanding how conscious identity remains the same person across time despite continuous change in brain states, experiences, and physical structure from birth to death. Rather than defining consciousness as mere information processing, the work argues that personal identity depends on the preservation of a continuous causal pathway internally owned by the same subject through time. Similarity, copying, or reconstruction alone do not preserve identity if causal continuity is broken. The paper introduces structural and operational conditions clarifying when identity is preserved and when a new trajectory begins, even if two states appear identical. In this sense, the work aims to serve as a foundational step toward rethinking consciousness, identity continuity, mind uploading, and the persistence of the self. The long-term ambition of this framework is to contribute to future scientific and philosophical developments that may reshape how humanity understands identity, personhood, death, and the continuity of the self. This work is presented as an initial foundational contribution open for development, testing, and expansion by future research communities. This document represents the first release of an ongoing work. Additional sections are currently under development and will be included in future revisions to complete the full study. This work was developed with the assistance of AI tools for editing and structuring, while the conceptual framework and core ideas originate from the author, Elia Grayeb.