Neo-Materialism: A Reflective Dual-Aspect Reinterpretation Beyond Classical Reductionism
Ram Lakhan Pandey Vimal
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Neo-Materialism: A Reflective Dual-Aspect Reinterpretation Beyond Classical Reductionism
Integrating Consciousness, Information, and Ontological Neutrality through the DPV~ICRDAM Framework
1. Abstract
Materialism, the doctrine that reality is ultimately composed of matter, has dominated scientific discourse since the Enlightenment. However, the emergence of consciousness studies, quantum theory, and systems biology has increasingly challenged this paradigm. In this paper, we propose a reformulation—Neo-Materialism—grounded in the Dvi-Pakṣādvaita Vedānta ~ Inseparable-Complementary Reflective Dual-Aspect Monism (DPV~ICRDAM) model. Neo-Materialism retains empirical rigor but abandons the assumption that matter is ontologically primary and conscious-less. It posits instead that all material systems have dual-aspect states (DAS), with inseparable subjective (s) and non-subjective (ns) aspects. This allows for a scientifically grounded but ontologically expanded account of consciousness, biological organization, and information dynamics. Unlike classical materialism, Neo-Materialism accommodates the reality of first-person experience, the limits of reductionism, and the role of a neutral ground (Nirguṇa Brahman) that gives rise to matter-consciousness co-structures. We conclude that Neo-Materialism is not only compatible with modern science but also offers a bridge to post-materialist and spiritual ontologies.
2. Introduction
Classical materialism views reality as composed solely of consciousless physical substances governed by deterministic laws (Tipler & Llewellyn, 2012). Consciousness, in this view, is an emergent epiphenomenon of complex neural configurations. However, this model faces growing challenges: the hard problem of consciousness (Chalmers, 1995), quantum indeterminacy, and the inability to explain intentionality and qualia within materialist ontology. Neo-Materialism, informed by DPV~ICRDAM, retains material realism while acknowledging the co-emergence of consciousness and structure from a neutral metaphysical substrate.
3. Redefining Matter: From Inert Substance to Dual-Aspect Structure
In Neo-Materialism, matter is not inert or conscious-less. Instead, it is redefined as the non-subjective aspect (ns-aspect) of a dual-aspect state. Every physical entity has an inseparable subjective correlate (s-aspect), even if minimally instantiated (Vimal, 2023, 2024a, 2024b, 2025a, 2025b). This maps well onto panprotopsychism and recent quantum-consciousness theories (Chalmers, 2013). Matter, in this view, is informational, relational, and embedded in a reflective ground field (NB).
4. The Emergence of Complexity and Active Dynamic Self (ADS)
Life and consciousness are modeled as ADS—systems wherein s/ns interactions become recursive and self-modifying (Metzinger, 2003). Unlike reductive emergence, which posits ontological hierarchy, DPV~ICRDAM allows for symmetrical co-arising of life and structure. This better models neuroplasticity, learning, and phenomenological variation (Northoff, 2016).
5. Neo-Materialism vs. Classical and Eliminative Materialism
|
Property |
Classical Materialism |
Neo-Materialism (DPV~ICRDAM) |
|
Ontology |
Physicalism |
Dual-aspect neutrality |
|
Consciousness |
Epiphenomenon |
Co-emergent s-aspect |
|
Matter |
Inert, primary |
Informational, relational |
|
Scientific Compatibility |
High |
High |
|
Integration with Vedānta |
None |
Strong (esp. Vijñāna Vedānta (VV)) |
6. Addressing Key Scientific Problems
- Hard Problem: Resolved via inseparability of s and ns aspects (Chalmers, 1995).
- Quantum Measurement: Observer-effect aligns with s-aspect influence (Rosenblum & Kuttner, 2011).
- Biogenesis: Life arises not from inert matter but from dynamic DAS transitions (Luisi, 2006).
7. Conclusion
Neo-Materialism offers a scientifically sound, metaphysically coherent alternative to classical materialism. By integrating consciousness as an ontologically inseparable aspect of matter, it resolves persistent explanatory gaps in biology, physics, and neuroscience. Rooted in the DPV~ICRDAM framework, Neo-Materialism maintains the empirical strengths of material science while embracing a dual-aspect model of reality that bridges scientific rigor and spiritual insight.
8.References
Chalmers, D. J. (2013). Panpsychism and panprotopsychism. Amherst Lecture in Philosophy, 8, 1–35.
Luisi, P. L. (2006). The emergence of life: From chemical origins to synthetic biology. Cambridge University Press.
Metzinger, T. (2003). Being No One: The Self-Model Theory of Subjectivity. MIT Press.
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.
Poznanski, R. R., & Brändas, E. J. (2020). Chapter 9: Panexperiential materialism: A physical exploration of qualitativeness in the brain. In R. R. Poznanski & E. J. Brändas (Eds.), Quantum Boundaries of Life, Advances in Quantum Chemistry (Vol. 82, pp. 301-367).
Tipler, P.A. and Llewellyn, R.A. (2012) Modern Physics. 6th Edition, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York.
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.