Internal Contradiction (σ)
Definition
The σ parameter in ODTOE is the internal contradiction of an observer — the entropy of doubt regarding a configuration. In the coherence formula B(O,C) it enters as (1−σ)^w3, representing the degree of internal consistency. σ = 1 (maximum doubt, full contradiction) collapses B to zero.
Related Terms
Cognitive Coherence B(O,C)
Cognitive coherence B(O,C) is the central measurable quantity of ODTOE that determines how strongly an observer O actualizes configuration C. It is computed as B(O,C) = F^w1 · E^w2 · (1−σ)^w3 · Λ^w4, where F is attentional focus, E is emotional coherence, σ is internal contradiction (entropy of doubt), and Λ is empirical reinforcement.
Attentional Focus (F)
Attentional Focus F is the first component of cognitive coherence B(O,C) — the degree to which an observer's attention is concentrated on a single configuration. F ranges from 0 (fully diffuse) to 1 (perfectly focused); if F → 0, B collapses regardless of the other components.
Emotional Coherence (E)
Emotional Coherence E is the second component of cognitive coherence B(O,C) — the alignment of the observer's emotional state with the intention regarding a configuration. High E means the emotional system supports and reinforces the cognitive commitment; low E indicates emotional dissonance or conflicting feelings.
Λ — Empirical Reinforcement
Λ in ODTOE is the empirical reinforcement parameter — the fourth component of cognitive coherence B(O,C) — measuring the accumulated confirmatory experience the observer has within a configuration. It reflects how much past experience supports and reinforces the current configuration.
Weights w1, w2, w3, w4
The four weights w1, w2, w3, w4 in the coherence formula B(O,C) = F^w1 · E^w2 · (1−σ)^w3 · Λ^w4 fix the relative contribution of attentional focus, emotional coherence, internal consistency and empirical reinforcement. They are not free parameters but normalized exponents calibrated against the observer's context.
Source Articles
Four Components of Cognitive Coherence
B(O,C) = F^w1 * E^w2 * (1-sigma)^w3 * Lambda^w4. Operationalization and measurement of contextual belief. Interaction with environment.
Honesty in ODTOE: A Separate Parameter or a Consequence of Coherence?
Decomposition analysis of honesty into three dimensions. Reducibility theorem: honesty is a consequence of coherence (S->1), not its prerequisite.
Death of the Observer in ODTOE: Deactualisation, World Line and Conditions for Immortality
Death as deactualisation: observation operator Ô ceases projecting configurations, but world line W={Ψ*n} persists in H. Four phases of dying through sequential zeroing of B components: F→0, E→0, Λ→0, σ→1. Coherent legacy L(O) as aggregate of artifacts. Three conditions for immortality: artifact coherence S_A→1, growing heirs n→∞, self-consistency with Ψ*. 'Love thy neighbour' as the sole condition for T(L)→∞.