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.
Challenge
Siler's Art of Consciousness
Consciousness as Creative Connection-Making
Artist Todd Siler approaches consciousness through ‘Metaphorming’: making connections by metaphor, analogy, symbol, model, and story, which he takes to be the creative process of both the human brain and nature. His large NeuroArt paintings picture the brain as connected to everything it creates, and he treats consciousness, with conscience, as what turns organic matter into reflective, creative, empathic beings.
Todd Siler
What consciousness is
Siler treats consciousness as the source of mind, art, science, and technology, and the condition for reflection, creation, and empathy. He pictures it through Metaphorms, which he holds make up all our symbolic languages and connection-making tools.
Mind and body
Everything humans make is a product of the brain, though how exactly no one knows. Siler coins ‘brainfinity’ for the pairing of a finite brain with an infinite mind.
Mechanism
Metaphorming, the brain's way of connecting anything to something else. Siler also proposes ‘cerebral fusion’: in the Papez circuit of the limbic system, thought, feeling, emotion, and action may merge in milliseconds.
Core claims
- All metaphors, analogies, symbols, numbers, models, and stories are forms of one connection-making process Siler calls Metaphorming.
- Creativity is any unconditioned response to familiar or unfamiliar things, and the process may be the same in art, science, and mathematics.
- Synapses are the basic building blocks that make thought, feeling, action, and consciousness possible.
- Intuition and reason together drive breakthrough thinking and innovation.
Implications
- Meaning and purpose: Humanistic only
- Siler locates purpose in human creativity, conscience, and love, and in building a more conscientious civilization.
Related theories
Sources
- Breaking the Mind Barrier, Todd Siler
- Think Like A Genius, Todd Siler
- Deciphering The Neural Rosetta Stone (painting), Todd Siler (1989)
- The Big Bang of Consciousness (painting), Todd Siler (1983)
- Siler's Art/Consciousness (Landscape of Consciousness entry), Todd Siler
Explore all theories on the Consciousness Atlas
