Enriched Categories Applied to Qualia Spaces

Author

Q Le

Published

August 7, 2025

Abstract

Recently, Tsuchiya and Saigo used Category Theory to formalise relationships between experiences [1]. In particular, they used Enriched Category Theory to model qualia structure based on similarity judgements, applying it to the case of colour similarity [2]. Within their paper and general work, they advocate for a certain view of categorical consciousness based on Yoneda’s Lemma, which could “characterise a quale as its relationship to all other qualia.” But is this right?

In this talk, we’ll consider and answer three core questions from their paper:

  1. From the paper itself, “What kinds of relations (including similarity) can form an enriched category?”
  2. Does their categorical approach work?
  3. What are other applications of enriched category theory to consciousness?

[1] Tsuchiya, N. and Saigo, H. (2021) A relational approach to consciousness: categories of level and contents of consciousness. Neuroscience of consciousness. [Online] 2021 (2), niab034–niab034

[2] Tsuchiya, N., Phillips, S. and Saigo, H. (2022) ‘Enriched Category as a model of qualia structure based on similarity judgements’, Consciousness and Cognition. [Online] 101 (103319).