The Stability-Rule-Negentropy (SRN) theory defines consciousness as a necessary emergent phe- nomenon in open negentropic systems, triggered when a system crosses a critical threshold via bal- anced development across three core axes, combined with a strong self-referential closed loop. The theory is built on six hierarchical axioms, deriving the Wooden Barrel Constraint as the hard criterion for consciousness emergence: c = min(S, R, N ), where S denotes Stability, R denotes Rule Modeling, and N denotes Active Negentropy Drive. The critical threshold for consciousness θ lies in the interval 0.5, 0.7, with a theoretical anchor at 1 − 1/e ≈ 0.632, corresponding to the universal critical value for percolation and independent exponential saturation in complex systems. Qualia are formalized as multi-level self-referential summaries of the system’s own information processing in the critical regime, whose valence and intensity are jointly determined by perturbations to the S-axis and response degrees of freedom of the N-axis. During dynamic evolution, a strong self-referential loop triggers a supercritical Hopf bifurcation, giving rise to an autonomous rhythm T∗ that satisfies the Rhythm Conservation Law: K = T ∗ · √Reff · Ψ ≈ const. This conservation law, via formal analogy to Kolmogorov turbulence theory, yields the scaling relation K ∝ L√Re (dimensional) or dimensionless K∗ ∝ √Re. The core goal of SRN theory is to explain the functional architecture and dynamical mechanism of consciousness emergence. The wooden barrel constraint and critical phase transition mechanism it relies on are universal syntax for all open dissipative systems to maintain a non-equilibrium steady state. Consciousness is the highest-order expression of this universal syntax under the condition of a strong self-referential closed loop. Therefore, SRN is first and foremost a testable theory of consciousness, while also containing a general framework for critical phase transitions in complex systems, demonstrated in the extension layer.
Gaofeng Yuan (Thu,) studied this question.