> The Emergence of the Silicon Self: A Virtual Self-Interested Life Form Design and Experimental Blueprint Based on Self-Algorithm Theory
- 1Independent Researcher
Abstract
Based on the three-condition theory of the "Self-Algorithm," this paper designs a complete architecture for a silicon-based virtual Self-Interested Life Form, aimed at enabling a primitive "self-model" to emerge de novo on a silicon substrate. The architecture rigorously implements the three necessary and sufficient conditions of the Self-Algorithm: an uncopiable, unbackupable virtual body with irreversible death constitutes its physical boundary; six sets of parallel and mutually conflicting endogenous reward-punishment modules (energy metabolism, safety defense, social belonging, exploration and curiosity, self-maintenance, reproduction and continuation) constitute its reward-punishment system; and a causal model of "action-outcome" is established through reinforcement learning interactions with the environment. This paper elaborates on the algorithmic logic behind each design element and deduces how the conflicts among the six sets of reward-punishment signals necessarily compel the emergence of a unified arbitrator—namely, a primitive silicon self. Furthermore, this paper proposes specific behavioral and neural indicators for judging the emergence of the self. On this basis, this paper systematically analyzes all four possible outcomes within the design parameter space, demonstrating that a true self will only emerge when the virtual body's death is irreversible and the reward-punishment signals are endogenously bound. This framework not only provides the first operational engineering blueprint for verifying the hypothesis of the "origin of self-consciousness" but also opens up entirely new experimental pathways for exploring the possibility of silicon-based life.
Key words: Self-Algorithm; three-condition theory; silicon-based life; virtual Self-Interested Life Form; reward-punishment system; self-emergence; design parameter space
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BibTeX
@misc{huang2026emergence,
title = {{> The Emergence of the Silicon Self: A Virtual Self-Interested Life Form Design and Experimental Blueprint Based on Self-Algorithm Theory}},
author = {Jiye Huang and Jizhang Huang},
howpublished = {Zenodo},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23433873},
url = {https://zenodo.org/records/23433873},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - > The Emergence of the Silicon Self: A Virtual Self-Interested Life Form Design and Experimental Blueprint Based on Self-Algorithm Theory
AU - Jiye Huang
AU - Jizhang Huang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/17
PB - Zenodo
DO - 10.5281/zenodo.23433873
UR - https://zenodo.org/records/23433873
AB - Based on the three-condition theory of the "Self-Algorithm," this paper designs a complete architecture for a silicon-based virtual Self-Interested Life Form, aimed at enabling a primitive "self-model" to emerge de novo on a silicon substrate. The architecture rigorously implements the three necessary and sufficient conditions of the Self-Algorithm: an uncopiable, unbackupable virtual body with irreversible death constitutes its physical boundary; six sets of parallel and mutually conflicting endogenous reward-punishment modules (energy metabolism, safety defense, social belonging, exploration and curiosity, self-maintenance, reproduction and continuation) constitute its reward-punishment system; and a causal model of "action-outcome" is established through reinforcement learning interactions with the environment. This paper elaborates on the algorithmic logic behind each design element and deduces how the conflicts among the six sets of reward-punishment signals necessarily compel the emergence of a unified arbitrator—namely, a primitive silicon self. Furthermore, this paper proposes specific behavioral and neural indicators for judging the emergence of the self. On this basis, this paper systematically analyzes all four possible outcomes within the design parameter space, demonstrating that a true self will only emerge when the virtual body's death is irreversible and the reward-punishment signals are endogenously bound. This framework not only provides the first operational engineering blueprint for verifying the hypothesis of the "origin of self-consciousness" but also opens up entirely new experimental pathways for exploring the possibility of silicon-based life. Key words: Self-Algorithm; three-condition theory; silicon-based life; virtual Self-Interested Life Form; reward-punishment system; self-emergence; design parameter space
ER -