Head to head
Attention Schema Theory vs Spira’s Non-Duality
Attention Schema Theory and Spira’s Non-Duality, compared field by field from their entries in the Atlas.
At a glance
- Attention Schema Theory belongs to the Materialism family in Kuhn's Landscape of Consciousness, Spira’s Non-Duality to Idealism.
- Attention Schema Theory treats consciousness as emergent; Spira’s Non-Duality treats it as fundamental.
- On AI consciousness, Attention Schema Theory says “Likely” and Spira’s Non-Duality says “No”.
- On life after death, Attention Schema Theory says “No” and Spira’s Non-Duality says “Yes”.
- On mind uploading, Attention Schema Theory says “Possible” and Spira’s Non-Duality says “Not needed”.
- On meaning and purpose, Attention Schema Theory says “Humanistic only” and Spira’s Non-Duality says “Cosmic/Ultimate”.
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The claim
In brief
Attention Schema TheoryThis theory posits that consciousness arises when the brain constructs a quick, simplified, internal model—an attention schema—of its own process of attention. The brain mistakenly interprets and reports this internal representation as a subjective, non-physical essence or a 'self-caricature,' even though it is fundamentally a computational product.
Spira’s Non-DualityThis theory proposes that ultimate reality is a single, infinite, and indivisible pure consciousness (non-duality), from which all objects and individual selves derive their apparently independent existence. It asserts that our essential nature, which is this pure consciousness, transcends the limits and destiny of the physical body and mind.
What consciousness is
Attention Schema TheoryConsciousness is identified as the brain’s internal representation or simplified model of its own mechanism of attention (the attention schema), which is a specific example of higher-order thought.
Spira’s Non-DualityConsciousness is identified as the single, infinite, and indivisible reality (pure consciousness) from which all apparent objects and individual selves derive their existence.
Big questions
Can AI be conscious?Differ
Attention Schema TheoryLikelySince consciousness is defined as a computational process (the creation of an attention schema), in principle, artificial systems that implement the necessary computational architecture could become conscious. Furthermore, observers will inevitably make the social attribution of consciousness to sufficiently complex AI systems that act like they are conscious.
Spira’s Non-DualityNoIf consciousness is the singular, non-material ultimate reality, artificial systems (being derived/material objects) cannot achieve true consciousness, only a functional imitation or borrowing of existence from the ultimate reality.
Attention Schema TheoryNoAs a Materialist/Neurobiological theory, consciousness is tied to the physical substrate (the biological, information-processing machine), precluding survival beyond the decay of the body.
Spira’s Non-DualityYesThe theory explicitly states that our essential nature, being pure consciousness, does not share the limits or destiny of the body and mind, implying survival or continuity beyond biological dissolution.
Attention Schema TheoryPossibleIf the consciousness is realized as a computational structure (the attention schema), and if this structure and the relevant information processing systems can be accurately uploaded to a non-biological medium, virtual immortality is theoretically possible.
Spira’s Non-DualityNot neededSince the essential self is fundamentally non-physical, infinite consciousness, digital duplication of the body/mind is unnecessary for the persistence of the essential self.
Attention Schema TheoryHumanistic onlyConsciousness provides an adaptive, evolutionary purpose (monitoring and regulating attention for action control), but does not imply any ultimate or cosmic meaning, consistent with Materialism.
Spira’s Non-DualityCosmic/UltimateConsciousness is the foundation of reality ('the nature of reality') and understanding this non-dual essence is the key to achieving ultimate peace and happiness, providing inherent cosmic purpose.
Nature of mind
Ontology
Attention Schema TheoryPhysicalism
Spira’s Non-DualityOntological Idealism. The theory posits consciousness as the ultimate, singular, fundamental existent.
Mind and body
Attention Schema TheoryConsciousness is the report generated by a biological, information processing machine (the brain) through the assessment of its internal data, meaning mental states are computational and wholly physical.
Spira’s Non-DualityThe essential nature of the self (consciousness) is held to be independent of the physical body and mind. Physical existence, and all experience, is mediated through the mind, which is derived from the fundamental consciousness.
Fundamental or emergent
Attention Schema TheoryEmergent
Spira’s Non-DualityPrimitive/Fundamental
Qualia
Attention Schema TheoryConsciousness is described as a 'self-caricature' or an illusory report of a non-physical essence, suggesting a deflationary or illusionist account of qualia, akin to Daniel Dennett’s view.
Spira’s Non-DualityQualia (multiplicity and diversity of experience) are seen as manifestations or derivations of the underlying singular pure consciousness, borrowing their apparent independent existence from it.
How it works
Mechanism
Attention Schema TheoryThe construction and maintenance of a simplified internal model (the attention schema) of the process of attention, rooted in principles from control engineering.
Spira’s Non-DualityNon-Duality, defined by the ultimate identity between the essence of the self and the ultimate reality (pure consciousness).
Where it is
Attention Schema TheoryLocated within the biological, information-processing system of the brain.
Spira’s Non-DualityUbiquitous/Cosmic. Consciousness is the underlying reality (single, infinite, indivisible) that pervades and underpins all existence.
What it does
Attention Schema TheoryThe functional role of the attention schema is to monitor and regulate the brain's attention in order to control actions in the world. The resulting capacity allows the system to claim consciousness.
Spira’s Non-DualityConsciousness functions as the ontological source of all existence. Achieving the recognition of this pure consciousness is tied to the ultimate goal of finding lasting peace and happiness.
Evidence and criticism
Testability
Attention Schema TheoryEmpirically testable
Spira’s Non-DualitySpeculative/Conceptual. The theory relies on philosophical and spiritual recognition of ultimate reality rather than empirical methods based on third-person observation.
Tests so far
Attention Schema TheoryNot stated
Spira’s Non-DualityNot stated
Criticisms
Attention Schema TheoryThe theory explains how a system can *claim* consciousness but faces the general limitation, shared by similar functionalist models, of conclusively proving or explaining the actual subjective feel (the 'anybody home' problem) which remains eternally uncertain, even by the proponent's admission.
Spira’s Non-DualityLike other Idealist theories, it faces the challenge of explaining precisely how the fundamental, non-material consciousness generates or interacts with the apparent physical world and matter.
Sources
Key sources
Attention Schema Theory
- True nature of consciousness: solving the biggest mystery of your mind, M. Graziano (2019)
- Rethinking Consciousness: A Scientific Theory of Subjective Experience, M. Graziano (2019)
- Can consciousness be non-biological?, M. Graziano (2014)
Spira’s Non-Duality
- Rupert Spira Website: Introduction to Non-Duality (n.d.)