This book presents consciousness models from Eastern and Western perspectives that accommodate current scientific research in the natural sciences and humanities, from neurological experiments through philosophical enquiries to spiritual approaches. It offers up to date research from key disciplines in consciousness studies ranging from neurology, quantum mechanics, algorithmic science, mathematics, and astrophysics to literary studies, philosophy, and (comparative) theology.

The volume examines the dichotomy between Western and Eastern perceptions of consciousness - where consciousness is perceived as brain activity by Western scientists, and as a divine presence by various religions, especially in the East. The essays contextualize each other and reciprocally illuminate the potential and limits of the respective approaches. The texts aim at a transdisciplinary and transcultural exchange of ideas in consciousness studies and address a readership from interested lay-readers toexperts of the field. The volume is of interest to researchers of consciousness studies.

Autorentext

Professor Prem Saran Satsangi obtained his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Waterloo (1969), served IIT Delhi as full Professor of Electrical Engineering, worked as honorary Director at DEI (Deemed University) Agra, India (1993-2002), and is currently Chairman, Advisory Committee on Education at the DEI. He was the Founder President of Systems Society of India (1981 - 84) and received among others the Lifetime Achievement Award from IIT Roorkee,, and in 2011 the Distinguished Service Award from IIT Delhi. He is the first awardee of the newly Instituted "Alumni of Eminence Award" (Beyond Distinguished Alumni Award) by BHU-IIT (voluntarily accepted on an Honorary Basis, as was the case, for the earlier Award too).

A.M. Horatschek was Professor and Chair for English Literature at Kiel University, Germany, from 2000-2018. B.A. from UC Berkeley, USA; Visiting Professor U of Maryland. Since 2011 member, and 2016 - 2021 Vice President ofthe German Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Hamburg. Research focus: knowledge formation, consciousness studies, identity and alterity, self-concepts, (intermedial) representation, Indian Literatures in English (gender, ecocriticism), justice concepts in global contexts. Latest book: Competing Knowledges - Wissen im Widerstreit. (Ed.), DeGruyter, 2020.

Anand Srivastav is Professor and Chair for Discrete Optimization at the department of Mathematics at Kiel University since 1997. In 1988 he received the doctoral degree Dr. rer. nat. from the University of Muenster, Germany. Thereafter, he has been Assistant Professor at the Universities of Bonn and Berlin, and visiting Professor at NYU and Yale Univ., both USA, before he joined Kiel University. He was born in Dayalbagh, Agra, India.