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.
Quantum
Rourk’s Catecholaminergic Neuron Electron Transport Theory
Consciousness as the Selected Channel in Midbrain Electron Transport
Rourk proposes that phenomenal consciousness is associated with a quantum-biological signaling mechanism in the midbrain: electron transport through ferritin and neuromelanin linking dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra and norepinephrine neurons of the locus coeruleus. This mechanism acts as a switch that helps the basal ganglia select one integrated, salient action channel from many competing ones. It is a neural-correlate theory meant to add a binding and selection mechanism to Global Neuronal Workspace accounts, not a quantum metaphysics of mind.
Christopher J. Rourk
What consciousness is
Phenomenal consciousness is associated with the cognitive or sensory channel that wins selection and gains energetic priority, becoming stabilized, integrated, and action-relevant.
Mind and body
Consciousness correlates with a specific signaling mechanism in identified neural tissue. Rourk does not claim that quantum mechanics explains subjectivity as such.
Mechanism
Catecholaminergic neuron electron transport (CNET): a switch-like mechanism that routes energy from less active channels to more active ones, so a single channel wins without runaway competition.
Core claims
- Conductive atomic-force microscopy reportedly indicated quantum-mechanical electron transport in human substantia nigra tissue rich in ferritin and neuromelanin, but not in nearby control tissue.
- Electron tunneling through ferritin particles has been experimentally observed.
- Striatal dopamine release is spatially and temporally precise enough to mediate action selection.
- Ferritin-rich oligodendrocyte precursor cells interconnect dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, which Rourk reads as a possible route for the signaling CNET predicted.
Criticisms
The evidence shows electron transport in tissue samples, not that this transport selects conscious contents in a living brain. As a correlate theory it identifies where selection might happen without explaining why the selected channel is experienced.
Implications
- AI consciousness: Uncertain
- The theory ties consciousness to a specific biological substrate in the midbrain and does not address whether other substrates could play the same selecting role.
- Survival beyond death: Unlikely
- Since consciousness is associated with signaling in living neural tissue, nothing in the view supports its continuation after the brain dies.
Related theories
Sources
- Ferritin and Neuromelanin ‘Quantum Dot’ Array Structures in Dopamine Neurons of the Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta and Norepinephrine Neurons of the Locus Coeruleus, Christopher J. Rourk (2018)
- Indication of Quantum Mechanical Electron Transport in Human Substantia Nigra Tissue from Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy Analysis, Christopher J. Rourk (2019)
- The Bioelectric and Biomagnetic Properties of Ferritin, Christopher J. Rourk (2025)
- A Computational Model of Action Selection in the Basal Ganglia. I. A New Functional Anatomy, Kevin Gurney, Tony J. Prescott, and Peter Redgrave (2001)
Explore all theories on the Consciousness Atlas
