Head to head
Advaita Vedanta vs Recurrent Processing Theory
Advaita Vedanta Idealism (Indian Cosmic Consciousness) and Lamme's Recurrent Processing Theory, compared field by field from their entries in the Atlas.
At a glance
- Advaita Vedanta belongs to the Idealism family in Kuhn's Landscape of Consciousness, Recurrent Processing Theory to Materialism.
- Advaita Vedanta treats consciousness as fundamental; Recurrent Processing Theory treats it as emergent.
- On AI consciousness, Advaita Vedanta says “Conditional” and Recurrent Processing Theory says “Likely”.
- On life after death, Advaita Vedanta says “Yes” and Recurrent Processing Theory says “No”.
- On mind uploading, Advaita Vedanta says “Not needed” and Recurrent Processing Theory says “Yes”.
- On meaning and purpose, Advaita Vedanta says “Cosmic/Ultimate” and Recurrent Processing Theory says “Humanistic only”.
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Idealism
Advaita Vedanta Idealism (Indian Cosmic Consciousness)
Swami Vivekananda, Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, Sri Aurobindo …
The claim
In brief
Advaita VedantaThis theory posits that consciousness is the singular, nondual fundamental reality (Brahman) that constitutes all existence. Individual human consciousness is ultimately non-different from this pervasive Cosmic Consciousness, which generates first-person inner experiences (qualia). The physical world, including the body-mind complex, is considered derivative or illusionary.
Recurrent Processing TheoryLamme's Recurrent Processing Theory (RPT) posits that consciousness is both necessary and sufficient when reciprocal (recurrent) feedback connections occur among neural areas, particularly in sensory systems. This processing, which happens locally in sensory and post-sensory areas (Stage 3), generates phenomenal experience without requiring global broadcast access.
What consciousness is
Advaita VedantaConsciousness (Brahman/Cit) is the one nondual reality. Individual consciousness is identified as the all-pervading Cosmic Consciousness expressing itself through the body-mind complex.
Recurrent Processing TheoryConsciousness is identified as a specific recurrent processing state holding within relevant neural circuitry, such as the visual system.
Big questions
Can AI be conscious?Differ
Advaita VedantaConditionalIf consciousness is fundamental and pervasive throughout reality, then artificial systems could potentially instantiate or participate in cosmic consciousness, provided they meet the structural/complexity requirements for manifestation, though some idealists reject conscious AI based on current computer models.
Recurrent Processing TheoryLikelyAs a Materialism Theory, AI consciousness must, in principle, be possible if the requisite pattern of recurrent processing could be artificially duplicated in a non-biological substrate.
Advaita VedantaYesSurvival is a fundamental doctrine in Indian traditions (e.g., reincarnation). However, survival often means the eventual loss of current first-person awareness as consciousness is re-absorbed into the ultimate Cosmic Consciousness.
Recurrent Processing TheoryNoConsciousness is tied to physical brain activity and specific neural circuitry (recurrent processing states), suggesting cessation upon bodily death.
Advaita VedantaNot neededIf consciousness is already fundamental and eternal (Idealism), traditional concepts of survival or eternal life are already theoretically available, making technological virtual immortality moot.
Recurrent Processing TheoryYesSince consciousness is the recurrent processing state itself, a perfect duplication of that process onto a new medium (upload) would generate the first-person self, enabling virtual immortality.
Advaita VedantaCosmic/UltimateBy positing consciousness as the ground of all being and ultimate reality, the theory inherently provides cosmic meaning and purpose. Evolutionary Idealist views also see the evolution of consciousness as a primary feature of world meaning.
Recurrent Processing TheoryHumanistic onlyThe theory focuses on a purely physicalist, neurobiological explanation of phenomenal experience and does not support any ultimate cosmic meaning or purpose.
Nature of mind
Ontology
Advaita VedantaIdealism (Ontological Idealism/Nondualism).
Recurrent Processing TheoryPhysicalism
Mind and body
Advaita VedantaThe mind and physical world are derivative or illusionary manifestations of the fundamental consciousness. The consciousness shines through the body-mind complex, but is not the body or mind itself.
Recurrent Processing TheoryIdentity/Reductionist approach, arguing that the notion of mind must move toward that of the brain, and consciousness is identical to a recurrent processing state in physical circuitry.
Fundamental or emergent
Advaita VedantaPrimitive (Fundamental). Consciousness is defined as the singular fundamental existent.
Recurrent Processing TheoryEmergent
Qualia
Advaita VedantaQualia (first-person inner experiences) are generated by the all-pervading cosmic consciousness. Experience is categorized into intransitive awareness (pure consciousness, devoid of content) and transitive awareness (phenomenal consciousness, which is a reflection or semblance of real consciousness).
Recurrent Processing TheoryQualia are generated when a certain recurrent processing state holds of the relevant visual circuitry, making the visual state conscious.
How it works
Mechanism
Advaita VedantaNon-duality, where the infinite, ultimate consciousness limits or expresses itself in manifold, seemingly diverse forms to create individual subjects of experience.
Recurrent Processing TheoryRecurrent processing (feedback connections) in sensory and post-sensory areas (Stage 3) is considered sufficient for consciousness.
Where it is
Advaita VedantaOmnipresent and pervasive throughout reality. Consciousness is universalized as Soul.
Recurrent Processing TheoryLocalized in sensory and post-sensory areas, specifically recurrent activations in the 'back of the head'.
What it does
Advaita VedantaConsciousness is the ultimate source and ground of all being. It governs causation and creates energy and matter. The existence of consciousness is its own explanation, needing no outside cause.
Recurrent Processing TheoryConsciousness is the specific recurrent processing state itself. The underlying purpose is implied to move the understanding of mind toward the brain.
Evidence and criticism
Testability
Advaita VedantaSpeculative/Conceptual/Spiritual. The theory focuses on ultimate ontological reality, which is not typically subject to the scientific method.
Recurrent Processing TheoryEmpirically testable
Tests so far
Advaita VedantaNot stated
Recurrent Processing TheoryNot stated
Criticisms
Advaita VedantaCriticized for being anti-physicalist and relying on religious tradition. It faces the challenge of explaining how the physical world emerges or is derived from fundamental consciousness, an odd idea alien to common life experiences. It is contrasted with other Indian schools like GV Vedanta, which has differences regarding the ontological reality of matter and individual selves.
Recurrent Processing TheoryCritiques Global Workspace Theory (GWT) as being 'all about access but not about seeing'. Is itself criticized by Ned Block as a 'truncated form of the global workspace account'.
Sources
Key sources
Advaita Vedanta
- Consciousness and self in Advaita Vedanta, Swami Sarvapriyananda (2020)
- The Nature of the Human Person (Part 2), Swami Sarvapriyananda (2023)
- How consciousness becomes the physical universe, Kafatos, Tanzi, Chopra (2011)
Recurrent Processing Theory
- Towards a true neural stance on consciousness, Victor Lamme (2006)
- How neuroscience will change our view on consciousness, Victor Lamme (2010)
- Wu, 2018 (Discussing Lamme's RPT) (2018)