The Problem of Unity of Consciousness: A Buddhist solution

Dr Monima Chadha (Monash University), Monima Chadha

Abstract: The Unity thesis which claims that concurrent conscious states are always unified is much discussed in recent philosophy of mind and cognitive neuroscience as it is closely related to core problems in studies of consciousness. Specifically, the Unity thesis places structural constraints on a plausible theory of consciousness. I present the Buddhist Yogācāra notion of basic consciousness as a plausible candidate for an account of unity that meets the structural constraints. In addition, I will point to some neuroscientific studies of meditation to indicate that the notion of basic consciousness can be investigated empirically.