Schlitz’s Theory of Mind

Anthropologist and social scientist Marilyn Schlitz posits a Theory of Mind (ToM) that treats consciousness as an entanglement of inner and outer realms of existence. At its core, ToM is the interface between subjective consciousness (what it feels like to be someone) and objective phenomena (how someone behaves or reacts) (Schlitz, 2025, 2007).

Schlitz argues that this interface becomes particularly compelling when considered as a potential explanatory model for psi phenomena and other transpersonal experiences. While some researchers dismiss psi as anomalous or pseudoscientific, Schlitz notes that these phenomena may reflect an extreme sensitivity of the ToM mechanism, potentially operating through the unconscious or non-local information processing.

She references quantum holography models and certain interpretations of panpsychism, which propose that consciousness is not entirely localized in the brain but may be entangled or shared across individuals. From this perspective, psi, altered states of consciousness, and mystical experiences may arise when boundaries between subjective and objective domains become more fluid, allowing minds to access shared informational fields.

Schlitz draws on her ToM to address a cognitive capacity that can attribute mental states—such as beliefs, intentions, emotions, and knowledge—to oneself and others. This ability allows humans to navigate social interactions with empathy and foresight, bridging the subjective experiences of individuals with the observable behaviors that arise from them.

In her current research involving the psychomantium (a small space intended for communicating with spirits of the dead) and virtual reality, Schlitz invites people to delve into their creative imaginations in order to engage with departed loved ones. People report veridical experiences that encompass a range of sensory modalities, including sight, sound, smell, and bodily sensations. The ToM, she says, offers a way to account for the depth of experiences people report and the therapeutic benefit such experiences offer. Ultimately, Schlitz believes that the ToM offers a window into the interconnectedness of all life and the expanded realms of consciousness that may lie beyond the physical world.