Consciousness as a Projection of the Unmanifest: Philosophical and Technological Perspectives
International Journal of Philosophy November 9, 2025 Andrey Andrey
Consciousness is not passive but is actively projected by the brain from an underlying, unseen realm that is both everything and nothing, shaping human experience. Drawing on Buddhist scriptures, Plato's cave, neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and emerging technologies, the paper argues that the brain projects a fuzzy essence into illusions of opposites, time, and solid objects that serve everyday life. Future technologies could enable redesigning neurons to perceive phenomena like gravitational waves or extra dimensions. Buddhist ethics of non-violence and compassion can guide equitable sharing of such powers, with implications for education and consciousness engineering.