The Eclipse Pipeline: Operationalizing Structural Approaches to Consciousness Detection through Empirical Falsification

Background: Consciousness science has historically lacked rigorous empirical validation protocols, resulting in theoretical proliferation without systematic falsification mechanisms. The structural turn in consciousness science demands methodological frameworks capable of transforming theoretical insights into empirically testable predictions through reproducible validation protocols.Method: We present the Eclipse pipeline, an 8-phase empirical validation framework implementing the first population-scale falsification protocol in consciousness science. Our methodology processes 126,160 EEG windows across 153 subjects from the Sleep-EDF Database using irreversible data splitting (sacred seed: 2025), pre-registered falsification criteria, and systematic bias prevention protocols. The framework operationalizes the AFH* (Autopsychic Fold and H* Horizon) model through three structural variables: topological curvature (κ_topo), causal integration (Φ_H), and temporal stability (Σ_estabilidad).Results: The Eclipse pipeline achieved systematic falsification of both AFH* v3.7 (F1=0.031, precision=0.032) and v4.1 (F1=0.037, precision=0.025) against pre-registered criteria (F1≥0.60, precision≥0.70). Despite promising cross-validation performance (F1=0.760±0.186), both implementations failed on held-out data, demonstrating methodological rigor through honest epistemological commitment. The systematic failure confirmed theoretical predictions that consciousness detection requires complete four-variable convergence, including symbolic resonance (∇Φ_resonant) unavailable in naturalistic sleep recordings.Significance: This work establishes the first genuinely falsifiable framework in consciousness science, transforming the field from philosophical speculation to empirical investigation. The AFH* model preceded independent theoretical convergence by Tsuchiya and Ellia (2025) by 17 days (Zenodo registration: May 20 vs. June 6, 2025), establishing theoretical precedence for structural consciousness approaches. The Eclipse infrastructure provides a replicable platform for consciousness theory validation, implementing methodological standards comparable to those in established scientific disciplines.Conclusions: The demonstrated falsifiability represents scientific success rather than theoretical failure. By accepting empirical refutation, consciousness theories can now be subjected to rigorous scientific constraints, enabling cumulative knowledge development through systematic elimination of insufficient approaches. The Eclipse methodology establishes the gold standard for consciousness research, requiring future theories to meet comparable standards of empirical accountability.Keywords:consciousness detection, falsifiability, structural theories, empirical validation, methodological frameworks, information integration, Eclipse pipeline, AFH model, population-scale testing, reproducible science