*Can your theory of consciousness determine your answers to the biggest questions in philosophy, science, and religion — AI sentience, life after death, free will, personal identity?*
Robert Lawrence Kuhn presents his landmark taxonomy of consciousness theories — spanning materialism, quantum theories, information, panpsychism, dualism, idealism, and more — and argues that every serious question about mind and perhaps even about existence depends on which theory you hold. Recorded at the 7th Woodenfish Forum on Buddhism, Science & Future (“Rewriting Reincarnation in the Light of Frontier Biotechnology”), held at The Grand Hotel, Taipei, June 5–7, 2026, and introduced by the forum’s founder, Venerable Dr. Yifa.
Great questions at the end from CTT contributors Max More (on Buddhist consciousness) and, of course, Venerable Yifa.
*Robert Lawrence Kuhn* is the creator, producer, writer, and host of _Closer To Truth,_ the long-running PBS series and global resource on cosmos, consciousness, and meaning. He holds a PhD in anatomy and brain research from UCLA and is the author of “A Landscape of Consciousness: Toward a Taxonomy of Explanations and Implications,” editor-in-chief of the Landscape of Consciousness website, which currently catalogues nearly 450 theories of consciousness. The Landscape of Consciousness website: https://loc.closertotruth.com/
*Venerable Dr. Yifa* is the founder and director of the Woodenfish Foundation, an international, nonsectarian nonprofit dedicated to building a global network of ethical and compassionate leaders. A Yale-educated Buddhist nun and Associate at the Harvard University Asia Center, she has appeared on Closer To Truth exploring Buddhist philosophy.
The Woodenfish Forum on Buddhism, Science & Future was founded by Venerable Dr. Yifa with the aspiration of engaging Buddhist thought through the lens of scientific inquiry. The 2026 forum brought together leading scientists, philosophers, and religious thinkers to explore reincarnation, consciousness, and the ethics of frontier biotechnology.
*More from Venerable Dr. Yifa on Closer To Truth:*
* https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJr3pJl27pJ0LlZkAF5DD-luqH1RUhVt
* CTT: https://closertotruth.com/contributor/venerable-dr-yifa/
See also:
* Theories of Consciousness playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJr3pJl27pI-jElLJw75y9CaSQL2bSgj
* “Buddhism’s Empty, Illusory Phenomenal Consciousness”: https://loc.closertotruth.com/theory/buddhism-s-empty-illusory-phenomenal-consciousness
* “Ask Me Anything with Robert Lawrence Kuhn”: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJr3pJl27pISAdKz8tSJnJx-flV52Qgi
0:00 Opening: Buddhist Chant & Bell Ceremony
3:25 Introduction by Venerable Dr. Yifa
8:32 Introduction by Moderator Kamil Nowak
9:05 Overview of the Landscape of Consciousness Taxonomy and Website
11:00 Presentation Begins
12:04 Consciousness as a Fundamental Clue to Reality
13:11 Computational Functionalism and AI’s Core Assumptions
14:52 Why Big Questions Depend on a Theory of Consciousness
18:04 Incorporating Global Wisdom Traditions
21:06 A Physicalist-to-Non-Physicalist Spectrum
23:38 The Ten Top-Level Categories of Consciousness Theories
26:58 Why Materialism Comprises Nearly Half the Taxonomy
29:58 Materialism: Philosophical Theories and Identity Theory
31:22 Materialism: Eliminativism and Illusionism
32:12 Materialism: Neurobiological and Electromagnetic Field Theories
33:46 Materialism: Homeostatic, Affective, Embodied, and Enactive Theories
35:42 Materialism: Relational, First-Order, and Higher-Order Theories
36:33 Materialism: Language and Evolutionary Theories
38:19 Orders of Magnitude: Where Consciousness Emerges
40:42 Why More Science Has Produced More Theories of Consciousness
41:35 Non-Reductive Physicalism and Strong Emergence
48:29 Quantum Theories and Information Theories
50:38 Panpsychism, Monism, Dualism, and Idealism
51:07 Anomalous and Altered States, and Challenge Theories
51:32 Implications for AI Consciousness and Survival After Death
52:33 Q&A: Max More on the Buddhist View of Identity and Continuity
56:50 Q&A: Venerable Dr. Yifa Asks Dr. Kuhn His Own Theory
1:01:59 Closing Remarks
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Closer To Truth, hosted by Robert Lawrence Kuhn, presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.
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