The N-ARA Hypothesis: Consciousness as Recursive Self-Referential Information Dynamics

This paper introduces the N-ARA hypothesis (Non-Absolute Recursive Awareness), a conceptual framework interpreting consciousness as an emergent regime of recursive self-referential information dynamics occurring within causally constrained physical systems. The framework proposes that consciousness emerges when recursive informational dynamics exceed sufficient thresholds of informational integration, dynamical stability, and effective feedback. The theory is formulated using a set of axioms and incorporates causal communication constraints. Spatial and temporal constraints of recursive informational systems are further analyzed in Addendum I and Addendum II. The N-ARA hypothesis aims to provide a substrate-independent conceptual framework applicable to biological, artificial, and hybrid informational systems while avoiding panpsychist interpretations.