The Problems of Consciousness in the Studies of M.K. Mamardashvili and A.M. Pyatigorsky
RUDN Journal of Philosophy March 31, 2026 Oleg T. Ermishin
Merab Mamardashvili and Alexander Pyatigorsky developed a 'metatheory of consciousness' in their joint work 'Symbol and consciousness' (completed 1974, published 1982), describing the structure of consciousness and seeking a universal synthesizing category. They viewed consciousness as a combination of content and form, a sphere of symbols and interpretations, and called their approach 'symbology,' where different symbol systems arise through understanding. Mamardashvili later focused on consciousness and individual self, moving toward 'real psychology'—concrete consciousness turned to life phenomena—while Pyatigorsky developed 'observational philosophy' combining phenomenology and Buddhist theory, emphasizing an impersonal observation process and the external observer as a structure of consciousness.