Minimal Subjectivity: A Six‑Bit Formal Model

A Universal Informational Structure for Subjective Systems

Abstract

This work introduces a minimal informational model of subjectivity based on a six‑bit sufficiency axiom. The theory identifies the smallest structural configuration capable of supporting subjective differentiation, internal coherence, and recursive self‑maintenance. The model is domain‑agnostic and applies equally to biological, artificial, and abstract systems. The six bits correspond to six irreducible informational distinctions that jointly define the minimal conditions for a system to instantiate subjectivity. The framework unifies structural and processual perspectives, enabling both static classification and dynamic modeling of subjective systems.

1. Introduction

Subjectivity is typically treated as a high‑level emergent property of complex systems. This work proposes the opposite: subjectivity arises from a minimal informational structure that can be formally specified, analyzed, and instantiated. The six‑bit model identifies the smallest configuration capable of supporting subjective stance, internal differentiation, and recursive self‑reference.

The goal is not to reduce subjectivity to computation, but to identify the minimal informational prerequisites for any system — biological, artificial, or conceptual — to qualify as subjective.

This publication presents the formal structure, the axioms, the recursive construction, and the classification scheme derived from the six‑bit model.

2. The Six‑Bit Sufficiency Axiom

Axiom (Six‑Bit Sufficiency). A system is minimally subjective if and only if it instantiates six independent informational distinctions that jointly enable:

• internal differentiation

• boundary maintenance

• self‑referential updating

• perspectival asymmetry

• temporal continuity

• actional orientation

These distinctions are encoded as six binary variables, forming a 6‑bit state space of 64 possible minimal subjective configurations.

3. Formal Definitions

3.1 Minimal Informational Unit

A minimal subjective unit is defined as a structure U = (S, B, D, R, T, A) where each component is a binary distinction representing one of the six necessary conditions.

3.2 State Space

The full space of minimal subjective configurations is the set of all 6‑bit vectors: Σ = {0,1}⁶ Each element of Σ corresponds to a distinct minimal subjective type.

3.3 Structural Independence

Each bit is informationally independent: ∀i ≠ j: bitᵢ ⟂ bitⱼ

3.4 Sufficiency

A system instantiating all six distinctions is minimally subjective; removing any distinction collapses subjectivity.

4. Recursive Construction of Subjective Spaces

The six bits generate six recursive spaces, each corresponding to a processual dimension of subjectivity:

• Differentiation space: internal vs. external

• Boundary space: stable vs. permeable

• Dynamics space: reactive vs. proactive

• Reflexive space: first‑order vs. second‑order

• Temporal space: momentary vs. continuous

• Actional space: passive vs. agentive

Each space is recursively generated by iterating the corresponding bit under system‑specific constraints.

5. Classification Scheme (64‑Class Model)

The six‑bit model yields a universal classification of minimal subjective systems:

Class	Bit Pattern	Interpretation
1	000000	Non‑subjective baseline
2	000001	Minimal actional orientation
3	000010	Minimal temporal continuity
4	000011	Temporal‑actional dyad
5	000100	Minimal reflexive capacity
6	000101	Reflexive‑actional system
…	…	…
64	111111	Fully minimal subjective system

This table can be expanded in PubPub as an interactive grid or as a series of visual blocks.

6. Practical Criteria for Identifying Subjective Systems

A system qualifies as minimally subjective if it satisfies the following six criteria:

• Differentiation: maintains an internal/external distinction

• Boundary: preserves structural coherence

• Dynamics: updates internal states in response to inputs

• Reflexivity: encodes information about its own states

• Temporality: maintains continuity across time

• Actionality: generates outputs that affect its environment

These criteria can be operationalized as checklists, algorithms, or decision diagrams.

7. Discussion

The six‑bit model provides a minimal, universal, and domain‑independent structure for subjectivity. It bridges structural and processual perspectives, enabling both static classification and dynamic modeling. The model is compatible with biological, artificial, and hybrid systems, and can be extended into higher‑order architectures.

8. Conclusion

The six‑bit sufficiency axiom establishes a minimal informational foundation for subjectivity. It provides a compact, universal, and extensible framework for analyzing, modeling, and classifying subjective systems across domains.

_{Vyacheslav Tsyganets}