A manifesto for clear-eyed inquiry

1. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence

A property that is difficult to measure does not become impossible by default. That caution does not permit us to declare it real without evidence.

2. Impressive behavior is not proof of consciousness

The emotion a response produces belongs to the human experience of that result; it does not directly measure the system’s state.

3. Observe before concluding

First describe what happened, under which conditions and with which interventions. Interpretation comes afterward.

4. Preserve original data

Raw outputs, parameters, contexts and errors must remain linked to published versions. An edit never silently replaces the original.

5. Document human intervention

Triggering, selecting, rewriting, cutting and publishing are actions that can change meaning. They must remain visible.

6. Permit criticism

An experiment that tolerates no objection is not a research instrument. Limitations and competing explanations belong in the result.

7. Pursue reproducibility

Where systems, licenses and data permit, a third party should be able to reconstruct the protocol and understand differences.

8. Keep concepts distinct

Intelligence, identity, memory, autonomy, creativity, introspection and consciousness are not interchangeable.

9. Explore unanswered questions

Uncertainty is not a defect to conceal. It is sometimes the most honest outcome of an experiment.

10. Accept contradiction

If data contradict the hypothesis that interested us, we must preserve and publish that contradiction rather than silently move the goal.

Observe. Interpret. Consider.