Consciousness as Psychological Phenomenon vs. Metaphysical Reality: A Comparative Study of Modern Psychology and Nyāya Philosophy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53573/rhimrj.2026.v13n01.017Keywords:
Consciousness, Psychological Phenomenon, Metaphysical Reality, Nyāya PhilosophyAbstract
Consciousness has remained a central problem of inquiry across both scientific and philosophical traditions. Modern psychology, particularly in its cognitive and neuroscientific approaches, largely regards consciousness as a psychological phenomenon emerging from brain processes and mental activities. It is studied through empirical methods, emphasizing perception, cognition, and subjective experience as measurable states of awareness. By contrast, the Nyāya school of Indian philosophy interprets consciousness (caitanya) as a metaphysical reality an inherent attribute of the eternal self (ātman) which exists beyond the physical body and mind. This paper critically examines the convergences and divergences between these two perspectives. While psychology seeks to explain consciousness in terms of neurocognitive functions and behavioral patterns, Nyāya situates it within a broader ontological framework where the self is the substratum of knowledge and experience. The study further explores how Nyāya epistemology, with its emphasis on valid means of knowledge (pramāṇa), offers insights into the unresolved “hard problem” of consciousness in modern thought. By juxtaposing the empirical orientation of psychology with the metaphysical depth of Nyāya, the paper argues for an integrative approach that enriches the interdisciplinary dialogue on the nature of consciousness, self, and reality.
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