Classical Indian Vitalism Found in the Abhidhamma as an Approach to the Hard Problem of Consciousness: Problems and Perspectives

Vitalism, though discredited in Western science, remains central to Indian analytical traditions such as Jaina, Bauddha, Sankhya-Yoga, and Vedanta, which propose a vital energy called 'prana' or 'jivitindriya' to explain how conscious internal states interact with physical states. This article critically examines the Abhidhamma view of consciousness as a transient internal state and its interaction with the body, seeking parallels with modern biophysical studies. It discusses how the model emerged from meditative observation and the role of prana in mediating mind-body interaction, concluding with applications in Ayurvedic therapy.

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Abstract

Currently, vitalism stands as a discredited theory in the Western empirical sciences. However, the Indian analytical traditions, specifically the Jaina, Bauddha, Sankhya-Yoga, and the Vedanta, unanimously propose a vital energy “prana” or “jivitindriya” to bridge the explanatory gap between internal conscious states and physical states in the body. The philosophical development of vitalism both in the East and West follows independent and different trajectories. In this article, the view of consciousness as a transient internal state (found in the Abhidhamma ) and the modes of its interaction with physical states is critically examined. An attempt is made to find some parallels between the classical Abhidhamma model of consciousness and modern biophysical studies. How the model arose from meditative observation and the status of vital energy prana in mediating the interaction between internal and physical states, is discussed. The article ends by noting the application of these concepts in a therapy found in the Ayurvedic system of medicine.