Neo-Idealism: Consciousness as Foundational Reality in Light of Dual-Aspect Monism and Vedāntic Reflection
Ram Lakhan Pandey Vimal
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Neo-Idealism: Consciousness as Foundational Reality in Light of Dual-Aspect Monism and Vedāntic Reflection
Revisiting the Priority of Subjectivity and the Reality of Bhagavān in a Scientific Cosmos
1. Abstract
Classical idealism posits that mind or consciousness is the primary substance of reality. However, historical idealism often lacked empirical grounding or integration with modern science. In this article, we present Neo-Idealism through the DPV~ICRDAM framework, wherein all reality is understood as a reflective dual-aspect system emerging from Nirguṇa Brahman (NB). Subjectivity (s-aspect) is not an emergent property but a primordial ontological dimension, co-expressed through non-subjective correlates (ns-aspects). This model affirms the absolute primacy of consciousness while accommodating empirical science through its dual-aspect metaphysics. The result is a non-solipsistic, theistic idealism compatible with neurophilosophy, quantum theory, and Gauḍīyan Vedānta.
2. Introduction
While materialist science has dominated explanatory paradigms, philosophical idealism is resurging—especially through non-dual, panpsychist, and reflective models (Chalmers, 1995; Kastrup, 2019). Yet traditional idealism often lacked clarity on how to model the physical world. DPV~ICRDAM resolves this by asserting that consciousness is inseparable from its reflection as embodied structure (ns-aspect). This model synthesizes insights from Vedānta, cognitive science, and systems theory.
3. Reinterpreting Idealism through DPV~ICRDAM
Neo-Idealism asserts:
- The ground of all being is Nirguṇa Brahman, a neutral, reflective field (Vimal, 2023, 2024a, 2024b, 2025a, 2025b).
- Saguna Brahman (SB) arises via symmetry breaking, with dual-aspect nature (Kṛṣṇa/Rādhā).
- Each jīva is a DAS with unique reflective configuration of the cosmic Self.
Unlike subjective idealism, Neo-Idealism affirms a shared, relational divine personality (Ātmā/Bhagavān), aligning with bhakti-theistic Vedānta.
4. Comparison with Other Forms of Idealism
|
Model |
Primary Substance |
World Reality |
Scientific Integration |
|
Berkeleyan Idealism |
Mind of God |
Illusory |
Low |
|
German Idealism |
Absolute Spirit |
Dialectical |
Moderate |
|
Neo-Idealism (DPV) |
Reflective DAS |
Real and Structured |
High |
5. Scientific Support for Neo-Idealism
- First-Person Neuroscience: Supports subjective structure as ontological (Northoff, 2016).
- Quantum Observation: Collapse appears linked to conscious perspective (Rosenblum & Kuttner, 2011).
- Hard Problem: Solved not by explaining away consciousness, but by making it fundamental (Chalmers, 1995).
6. Conclusion
Neo-Idealism offers a modern, scientifically informed upgrade to classical idealism by grounding all phenomena in conscious-reflective structures derived from Nirguṇa Brahman. Within the DPV~ICRDAM framework, reality is dual-aspect and ontologically inseparable from experience. This model bridges metaphysics, consciousness science, and theistic Vedānta into a unified cosmology that honors both empirical and spiritual truth.
7. References
Chalmers, D. J. (1995). Facing up to the problem of consciousness. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 2(3), 200–219.
Kastrup, B. (2019). The idea of the world: A multi-disciplinary argument for the mental nature of reality. Iff Books.
Northoff, G. (2016). Neurophilosophy of the self: A neural signature of the first-person perspective. MIT Press.
Rosenblum, B., & Kuttner, F. (2011). Quantum enigma: Physics encounters consciousness (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Vimal, R. L. P. (2023). Towards a Holistic Paradigm: Inseparable-Complementary-Reflective Dual-Aspect Monism and Dvi-Pakṣādvaita Vedānta can bridge the Gap between Science and Spirituality (Volume 1: Chapters 1-12). Vision Research Institute: Living Vision and Consciousness Research, 16(4), 1-1091. [Available: <Volume 1: (Vimal, 2023): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377964854> and <(Vimal, 2023): https://www.academia.edu/121285641/>]. https://5mp.academia.edu/RamLakhanPandeyVimal
Vimal, R. L. P. (2024a). Towards a Holistic Paradigm: Inseparable-Complementary-Reflective Dual-Aspect Monism and Dvi-Pakṣādvaita Vedānta can bridge Science and Spirituality (Volume 2: Appendices).Vision Research Institute: Living Vision and Consciousness Research, 16(5), 1-800. Available: <Volume 2: (Vimal, 2024a): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380850619> and (Vimal, 2024a): https://www.academia.edu/119946366>
Vimal, R. L. P. (2024b). Towards a Holistic Paradigm: Inseparable-Complementary-Reflective Dual-Aspect Monism and Dvi-Pakṣādvaita Vedānta can bridge Science and Spirituality (Volume 3: Discussions). Vision Research Institute: Living Vision and Consciousness Research, 16(6), 1-453. Available<Volume 3: (Vimal, 2024b): https://www.academia.edu/122272500/ and (Vimal, 2024b): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382457706 >. Note: All volumes (Vimal, 2023, 2024a, 2024b, 2025a, 2025b) adopt a non-sectarian approach to bridge the two seemingly opposite major sects: spirituality and science. <Volume 3.1: (Vimal, 2024b.Volume 3.1, Sections 1-77): https://www.academia.edu/122272500/ and (Vimal, 2024b.Volume 3.1,Sections 1-77): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382457706 > ]. <Volume 3.2: (Vimal, 2024b.Volume 3.2,Sections 78-89): https://www.academia.edu/122272500/ and (Vimal, 2024b.Volume 3.2): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382457706 > ]. <Volume 3.3: (Vimal, 2024b.Volume 3.3, Sections 90-): https://www.academia.edu/ and (Vimal, 2024b.Volume 3.3): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/> ]
Vimal, R. L. P. (2025a). Towards a Holistic Paradigm: Inseparable-Complementary-Reflective Dual-Aspect Monism and Dvi-Pakṣādvaita Vedānta can bridge Science and Spirituality (Volume 4: Challenges and Resolutions).Vision Research Institute: Living Vision and Consciousness Research, 17(1), 1-560. (Vimal, 2025a). Avialable : <https://groups.google.com/g/sboc-forum/c/847hqhHLdQg/m/uySeZHFLAgAJ>.
Vimal, R. L. P. (2025b). Towards a Holistic Paradigm: Inseparable-Complementary-Reflective Dual-Aspect Monism and Dvi-Pakṣādvaita Vedānta can bridge Science and Spirituality (Volume 5: Jñāna Yoga and Cosmology). Vision Research Institute: Living Vision and Consciousness Research, 17(7), 1-457. (Vimal, 2025b). Avialable : <https://groups.google.com/g/sboc-forum/c/TG8kVmRF8Vs/m/KlyDkKODEQAJ>
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RāmLakhan Pāndey Vimal, Ph.D.