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.
Dualism
Lorber’s Soul and Spirit
Consciousness as Soul Particles Guided by a Divine Spark
Jakob Lorber, a 19th-century Christian mystic writing from what he took to be revelations from Christ, holds that a human being is a soul and a divine spirit briefly incarnated together in a material body. The soul is built from countless living intelligence particles called specifica, while the spirit is a spark of God’s love placed in the soul’s heart around birth and heavily shielded so it does not overpower the soul. The purpose of life is to unite soul and spirit through seeking God and selfless love.
Jakob Lorber, Albert Hoffmann
What consciousness is
Consciousness rests on specifica, intangible living intelligence particles that are the most basic constituents of both the spiritual and physical world, raised in humans by an indwelling divine spirit.
Mind and body
Soul and spirit are incarnated in a material body for a very short time. Specifica can be bound in matter, and their combinations account for the many shapes of matter in nature.
Mechanism
A shielded divine spark leaks a small amount of spiritual light into the soul, giving it free will and raising the intelligence of its specifica well above that of animal souls.
Core claims
- A human being is a soul and a divine spirit briefly incarnated in a material body.
- The soul consists of countless specifica, the most basic particles of the spiritual and physical world.
- The divine spirit is encapsulated seven-fold so it does not overpower the soul’s developing free will.
- Incarnation separates soul and spirit from God’s almightiness so the soul can freely seek and love its Creator.
Implications
- AI consciousness: No
- Human consciousness depends on a soul of specifica and a divine spirit placed by God, which no artifact could supply.
- Survival beyond death: Yes
- Soul and spirit are incarnated in the body only for a very short time, so they continue after it.
- Meaning and purpose: Cosmic/Ultimate
- Lorber holds that God created humanity out of love so that it would love him in return and love others more than oneself.
- Virtual immortality: No
- Since the person is a soul and divine spirit, a digital copy of the body or brain would not carry them.
Related theories
Sources
- Lorber’s Soul and Spirit, Jakob Lorber
Explore all theories on the Consciousness Atlas
