The Concept of Self in Advaita Vedanta and Western Idealism: A Comparative Analysis of the Advaitic Idea of Atman-Brahman Identity with Immanuel Kant’s Transcendental Idealism or Hegel’s Absolute Idealism

A philosophical comparison of selfhood in Advaita Vedanta and Western Idealism shows that while both traditions explore the nature of ultimate reality and self-awareness, they diverge in method and conclusion. Advaita Vedanta, particularly Shankara's non-dualism, identifies the individual self (Atman) with ultimate reality (Brahman) as pure consciousness. Immanuel Kant distinguishes the phenomenal self, subject to experience, from the unknowable noumenal self, while Hegel's Absolute Idealism presents reality as an evolving self-conscious unity. The analysis uses exploratory qualitative research, gathering information from keyword searches in Google, Google Scholar, and AI-driven GPTs. The comparison highlights convergences and divergences in their understanding of self, perception, and ultimate reality.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores the concept of self in Advaita Vedanta and Western Idealism, focusing on the Atman-Brahman identity in Shankara’s non-dualism and its parallels with Immanuel Kant’s Transcendental Idealism and Hegel’s Absolute Idealism. Advaita posits that the individual self (Atman) is identical to the ultimate reality (Brahman), transcending empirical distinctions. Kant, on the other hand, distinguishes between the phenomenal self (subject to experience) and the noumenal self (unknowable in itself), while Hegel’s Absolute Idealism envisions reality as an evolving self-conscious unity. This paper analyzes how each system conceptualizes self-awareness, reality, and ultimate knowledge, evaluating their epistemological and metaphysical frameworks. Methodology: In this paper, the exploratory qualitative research method is used. The relevant information is collected using keyword-based search in Google search engine, Google Scholar search engine, and AI-driven GPTs. This information is analysed and interpreted as per the objectives of the paper. Results/ Analysis: While Advaita emphasizes pure consciousness (Chaitanya) as the essence of self, Western Idealism approaches selfhood through dialectical reasoning and synthesis. Originality/ Values: This comparative analysis highlights convergences and divergences in their understanding of self, perception, and ultimate reality.