The Brain-Brahman Dichotomy and the Hard Problem of Fourth Consciousness

Abstract

In this paper, we aim to contrast the contemporary notion of phenomenal consciousness with the chatushpad or four-foot doctrine of consciousness discussed in the Mandukya Upanishad and further developed by Gaudpada in his Mandukya Karika and Shankara in his Advaita Vedanta. We aim to show that the phenomenal consciousness is subsumed under the first three states of consciousness of the Self, mentioned in the chatushpad doctrine. The hard problem of consciousness is accounting for the fourth consciousness or Turiya with respect to the Brain-Brahman dichotomy: how the Cosmic, Universal, Brahman-Consciousness is related to experienced individual, particular Brain-Consciousness.