Head to head
Spira’s Non-Duality vs Strawson’s Panpsychism
Spira’s Non-Duality and Strawson’s Panpsychism Theory, compared field by field from their entries in the Atlas.
At a glance
- Spira’s Non-Duality belongs to the Idealism family in Kuhn's Landscape of Consciousness, Strawson’s Panpsychism to Panpsychism.
- Both treat consciousness as fundamental.
- On AI consciousness, Spira’s Non-Duality says “No” and Strawson’s Panpsychism says “Likely”.
- On life after death, Spira’s Non-Duality says “Yes” and Strawson’s Panpsychism says “Unlikely”.
- On mind uploading, Spira’s Non-Duality says “Not needed” and Strawson’s Panpsychism says “Likely”.
- On meaning and purpose, Spira’s Non-Duality says “Cosmic/Ultimate” and Strawson’s Panpsychism says “Uncertain”.
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The claim
In brief
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismStrawson argues that any philosopher taking a realistic view of physicalism must accept that all physical phenomena are intrinsically experiential or phenomenal, leading to panpsychism (or panexperientialism) as a necessary conclusion of 'Real Materialism'. The existence of conscious experience, being the most certain fact, cannot be denied by genuine physicalism .
What consciousness is
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismConsciousness (experience) is identified as an intrinsic, non-reducible phenomenal property of all fundamental physical stuff or energy (panexperientialism).
Big questions
Can AI be conscious?Differ
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismLikelyIf consciousness is an irreducible property of every elementary physical entity, then AI, being composed of physical matter, should also have inner awareness, provided the combination problem can be solved and micropsychic aspects can be manipulated by advanced technology .
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismUnlikelyAlthough the world is infused with consciousness, survival requires reversing the complex process of microscopic elements coalescing into macroscopic consciousness, which seems difficult for first-person survival upon brain dissolution .
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismLikelyIf consciousness is an intrinsic, regular property of the fabric of reality, advanced technology could potentially learn the regularities needed to aggregate or manipulate micropsychic forces to duplicate or upload consciousness .
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismUncertainPanpsychism is positioned between Materialism (no ultimate purpose) and Dualism/Idealism (ultimate purpose), suggesting possible ultimate meaning/purpose/value .
Nature of mind
Ontology
Spira’s Non-DualityOntological Idealism. The theory posits consciousness as the ultimate, singular, fundamental existent.
Strawson’s PanpsychismRealistic Monism / Real Materialism
Mind and body
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismIdentity Theory (Strong Sense). Mental phenomena are considered concrete physical phenomena because real physicalism encompasses all real phenomena, including experience.
Fundamental or emergent
Spira’s Non-DualityPrimitive/Fundamental
Strawson’s PanpsychismPrimitive/Fundamental
Qualia
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismQualia are real, concrete, and physical properties of the world; their denial is considered the 'silliest claim ever made'.
How it works
Mechanism
Spira’s Non-DualityNon-Duality, defined by the ultimate identity between the essence of the self and the ultimate reality (pure consciousness).
Strawson’s PanpsychismThe principle that all concrete phenomena are physical, combined with the fact that experience is a concrete phenomenon and cannot radically emerge, dictates that experience is intrinsic to fundamental physics.
Where it is
Spira’s Non-DualityUbiquitous/Cosmic. Consciousness is the underlying reality (single, infinite, indivisible) that pervades and underpins all existence.
Strawson’s PanpsychismUbiquitous, associated with every part or aspect of physical reality, akin to fundamental fields and particles .
What it does
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismConsciousness, being physical, fits unproblematically into the natural world. (The specific causal role of individual experiences is implied through their physical status but not detailed in the sources).
Evidence and criticism
Testability
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismConceptually testable. It is a metaphysical proposal derived from philosophical premises about the nature of the physical world. Nagasawa notes that panpsychism, even if true, may reach a 'cognitive dead end' because it cannot be proven .
Tests so far
Spira’s Non-DualityNot stated
Strawson’s PanpsychismNot stated
Criticisms
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.
Strawson’s PanpsychismWidely held to be 'absurd' by some critics . It suffers from the combination problem, requiring an explanation of how micro-level experiences aggregate to yield macrophenomenal properties.
Sources
Key sources
Spira’s Non-Duality
- Rupert Spira Website: Introduction to Non-Duality (n.d.)
Strawson’s Panpsychism
- Realistic Monism: Why Physicalism Entails Panpsychism, Galen Strawson (2009)
- Real Materialism and Other Essays, Galen Strawson (2008)
- The Consciousness Deniers, Galen Strawson (2018)