Jonathan Shear

Papers

Total Citations

166

H-Index

About

Jonathan Shear is a pioneering figure in consciousness studies, best known for his foundational work on the nature of the self and the integration of contemplative traditions with cognitive science. His most-cited paper, "Models of the Self" (1999, 166 citations), is a landmark collection that synthesizes 27 essays from the *Journal of Consciousness Studies*, drawing on analytic philosophy, neuroscience, and Eastern meditative practices to explore the self as a multidimensional construct. Shear’s major contribution lies in bridging first-person subjective experience—particularly insights from deep meditation—with third-person empirical frameworks, challenging reductive models of consciousness. His work has profoundly influenced debates on selfhood, unity of consciousness, and the limits of introspection. Beyond this, Shear is recognized for his editorial leadership in advancing interdisciplinary dialogue, notably through his role at the Center for Consciousness Studies. With citations spanning philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, his scholarship remains essential for researchers seeking to understand how contemplative wisdom can inform scientific accounts of the self.