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
Richheimer’s Ground Substance of Creation
Consciousness as the Ground Substance of Creation
Steven Richheimer holds that consciousness is the fundamental ‘ground substance’ of reality, transformed first into a three-layered cosmic mind and then into the material world. Where planetary conditions allow, life arises and evolves to reflect the layers of cosmic mind, until sentient beings strive to complete the cycle by becoming one with Cosmic Consciousness. He argues that this top-down model explains quantum, relativistic, psi, and mystical phenomena better than materialism.
Steven L. Richheimer
What consciousness is
Consciousness is the primary substance from which cosmic mind and then matter are made. Cosmic Consciousness is both the source and the final goal of the creation cycle.
Mind and body
Matter is consciousness transformed through cosmic mind, so mind and matter are intrinsically linked within one reality. Richheimer cites the effect of mental states on physiology as a sign of this unity.
Mechanism
A top-down transformation of consciousness into cosmic mind and then matter, the reverse of materialism's bottom-up account.
Core claims
- A consciousness-first model explains quantum nonlocality and entanglement and why observers seem to take part in how reality emerges.
- It also explains features of relativity, such as the light-speed limit and the apparent illusoriness of time's flow.
- It accounts for psi, reincarnation memories, and mystical, out-of-body, and near-death experiences, which Richheimer says materialism ignores.
- Weighed by their credences, the spiritual model is a better model of reality than materialism.
Criticisms
Richheimer openly begins by assuming the spiritual worldview is correct and then shows what it can explain, which invites the charge of circular reasoning that he says he tries to avoid. His evidence base leans on contested phenomena such as psi and reincarnation memories.
Implications
- Survival beyond death: Likely
- Richheimer treats reincarnation memories and near-death experiences as phenomena the model explains, and consciousness does not depend on the body.
- Meaning and purpose: Cosmic/Ultimate
- The universe has inherent meaning and purpose, rooted in sentient beings' drive to reunite with Cosmic Consciousness.
Related theories
Sources
- The Logic of the Spiritual Worldview: How the Idea that Consciousness is the Ground Substance of Creation Explains just about Everything, Steven L. Richheimer (2025)
Explore all theories on the Consciousness Atlas
