Meaningful Information Theory

This paper outlines a theory of meaningful information to explore metaphysical reality and consciousness. It first asserts that there exists a fundamental metaphysical order that can be described mathematically. The core of the theory is triadic nature of meaningful information and its mathematical structure termed meaningful information monad, the fundamental entity at metaphysical depth and omni scope, as metaphysical reality. The theory could be applied in information science but here those fundamental problems in philosophy and science are focused. It follows both W. James’ proposal that the solution to consciousness problem should be in a metaphysical way, R. Penrose’s proposal that to understand consciousness well needs to understand matter deeper first, and G. Ellis’ top-down causation. The theory can not only reframe the fundamental comprehension of physical world and mathematical world, also as essential evidences, but also meta-symmetrically extend to consciousness to unveil its mystery. Then reachable and testable consciousness can in turn shed light on physics and provide a new road toward understanding quantum gravity and the nature of time. The relations of three worlds and their common foundation are clearly defined. It makes comprehension level of three worlds at same depth and unify them on a deeper foundation in both metaphysical and scientific way. The results can be compared with discoveries of sciences including physics, mathematics, neuroscience and consciousness science. It concludes that consciousness is encoded in the deep nature of metaphysical reality, originating from the independence of possible, and its fundamental principle is structure-possible translation as one of three intrinsic translations. The other two correspond to matter and logos. It provides a solution to D. Chalmers’ hard problem and some easy but fundamental problems of consciousness. Human being including its practice and cognition are also natural components of metaphysical reality. The theory supports metaphysical reductionism and holism.