The Consciousness Atlas is an interactive web app that visualizes more
than 450 theories of consciousness. It is based on Robert Lawrence
Kuhn's 2024 paper,
"A Landscape of Consciousness". The Atlas maps theories that address phenomenal consciousness - the
subjective feel of experience, such as the redness of red.
What the Atlas is
The Atlas is a visual reference built on Kuhn's taxonomy. It presents
the full set of theories at once so you can explore the field visually
and open any theory to read its entry, like an encyclopedia with
structured entries. Each theory entry shows a concise identity line,
conceptual ground, suggested mechanism, empirical notes, implications,
and sources.
Why this exists
Consciousness is studied across disciplines - neuroscience,
philosophy, and sometimes spiritual or anomalous-state research.
Kuhn's paper collects and organizes hundreds of theories along a
spectrum from most physical to least physical. The Atlas puts that
organization into a visual form so readers, students, and researchers
can quickly see how different positions relate and where each theory
sits on the spectrum.
How it works
Theories are grouped into ten main categories, arranged by their
stance on the physical-to-nonphysical spectrum. Examples of categories
include Materialism, Non-Reductive Physicalism, Functionalism,
Quantum-based theories, Panpsychism, Monism, Dualism, Idealism,
Anomalous States, and Challenge Theories. The app shows the whole map
at once. Click any theory to read its structured entry, which includes
references to canonical sources and named thinkers.
Who it is for
- Students learning philosophy of mind and cognitive science
-
Researchers and lecturers looking for an at-a-glance comparative
resource
-
Journalists and writers who need a quick reference to the range of
positions
-
Curious readers who want a clear view of what people mean when they
talk about consciousness
What the Atlas does not do
The Atlas does not endorse or rank theories. It is a visualization and
reference based on Kuhn's taxonomy - collect and present, not judge.
It does not attempt to settle the hard problem of consciousness. It is
a tool for exploration and comparison.
A note from Kuhn
Kuhn explicitly states the project's purpose: "collect and categorize,
not assess and adjudicate." The Consciousness Atlas follows that
approach. The data and structure are derived from Kuhn's paper;
feedback and suggested corrections are welcome, but the app is a
visualization layer on top of Kuhn's work.
Kuhn was not involved in the design or content of the Consciousness
Atlas, other than his original paper, 'A Landscape of Consciousness,'
which is the sole source.
FAQ
What is phenomenal consciousness?
Phenomenal consciousness refers to subjective experience - the
qualitative feel of being aware, like the taste of coffee or the
redness of red.
How many theories does the Atlas include?
The Atlas visualizes over 220 individual theories, grouped into ten
broad categories.
Does the Atlas show which theory is true?
No. The Atlas presents theories neutrally. It is a map, not an
argument for any single position.
Is the Atlas academic?
The Atlas is based on an academic source - Robert Kuhn's 2024 paper,
"A Landscape of Consciousness" - and links to canonical sources
where available.
Summary
The Consciousness Atlas is a straightforward visualization tool: it
presents Kuhn's taxonomy as a single, explorable map and lets users
open individual theory entries to read structured, referenced
summaries. It is designed to make this complex field easier to survey
and to serve as a practical reference.
Idealism
Sarkar’s Infinite Supreme Consciousness
Consciousness as the Infinite Source and Goal of Creation
Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar teaches that ultimate reality is uncaused, infinite, non-qualified Supreme Consciousness (Nirguna Brahman), made up of a cognitive principle (Purusha) and an inseparable creative power (Prakriti). In a cosmic cycle, part of this consciousness becomes qualified and condenses step by step into matter, then evolves back through ever more developed minds until, through intuitional practice, it merges again into its source.
Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, Richard Gauthier
What consciousness is
Consciousness is the absolute reality: infinite Supreme Consciousness, of which matter and individual minds are qualified, cruder expressions.
Mind and body
Matter is Qualified Supreme Consciousness at its crudest, which is why minds can evolve from it. Individual minds are tied to living bodies and pass through successive embodiments.
Mechanism
The cosmic cycle (Brahmachakra): when Prakriti's three forces become unbalanced in a portion of Purusha, that portion becomes qualified and evolves a Cosmic Mind and then matter (the extroversive phase), after which minds evolve back toward the source (the introversive phase).
Core claims
- Sarkar holds that ultimate reality is uncaused, infinite, non-qualified Supreme Consciousness composed of inseparable cognitive and creative principles.
- Matter is the crudest stage of Qualified Supreme Consciousness, which is why minds can evolve from it.
- Gauthier argues that Sarkar's appropriative points answer Chalmers's hard problem, because qualia pre-exist in matter and are not produced by the brain.
- Merging into Non-Qualified Supreme Consciousness through intuitional practice and the moral principles of Yama and Niyama permanently fulfills the human desire for happiness.
Implications
- Survival beyond death: Yes
- Each self travels with its mind after death to a new physical body when needed, until it merges into Supreme Consciousness.
- Meaning and purpose: Cosmic/Ultimate
- The purpose of human life is to merge, through intuitional practice and moral living, into Non-Qualified Supreme Consciousness, the source to which everything eventually returns.
Related theories
Sources
- Ananda Sutram, Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar (1962)
- A Guide to Human Conduct, Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar (2004)
- Microvita: Cosmic Seeds of Life, Richard Gauthier
Explore all theories on the Consciousness Atlas
