Pratyabhijñā Cosmopsychism: The Unity and Diversity of Consciousness

Objections to cosmopsychism—the view that the universe as a whole is a unified conscious subject—often rest on assumptions about consciousness that need not be accepted. Drawing on the nondual Pratyabhijñā philosophical tradition, the author argues that examining personal phenomenal experience reveals a multiplicity of subjectivities within a singular, foundational cosmic consciousness. The faculties of imagination, action, and playful forgetfulness help make sense of individual experiences as aspects of this unified mind. Cosmic consciousness is compatible with everyday experience, and consciousness's capacity to conceal itself may address the individuation problem. The Pratyabhijñā also offers insights into recognizing consciousness in others and why a cosmic mind might appear alienated.

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Abstract

Abstract:Objections to cosmopsychism based on incoherence or implausibility depend on assumptions about the nature of consciousness that we need not take for granted. The nondual Pratyabhijñā philosophers encourage us to examine our own phenomenal experience to reveal the multiplicity of subjectivities within unified consciousness. Using this framework, I explore how our faculties for imagination, action, and playful forgetfulness can make sense of our individual experiences as aspects of an essentially singular, foundational cosmic consciousness. I argue that cosmic consciousness is compatible with our everyday experience and that the capacity for consciousness to conceal itself may mitigate the individuation problem for cosmopsychism. The Pratyabhijñā may also help us understand how to recognize consciousness in others and consider why an all-encompassing cosmic mind might choose to present itself as alienated.