Evidence-Based Approach to the Internal World and Religious Beliefs: Are They Illusions or Hallucinations? Insights from Default Space Theory

Consciousness may arise from an internally generated three-dimensional 'default space' that the brain projects, rather than directly mirroring the external world. In this model, the brain creates a virtual reality of experience by integrating sensory inputs with memories and expectations, meaning perception is shaped as much by prior knowledge and top-down expectations as by incoming stimuli. Evidence from sensory illusions and hallucinations supports this Default Space Theory (DST), demonstrating the brain's ability to construct or alter perceptual reality. The analysis suggests that profound religious or spiritual experiences—visions, voices, and transcendent sensations—can be understood as internally generated experiences produced by the brain's default generative mechanisms, consistent with an evidence-based DST framework.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Understanding the neural basis of conscious perception is one of science's great unanswered questions.The Default Space Theory (DST) of mind proposes that consciousness results from an internally generated three-dimensional "default space" that the brain projects, rather than a direct mirroring of the external world [1].In this model, the brain creates a virtual reality of experience composed of sensory inputs integrated with memories and expectations [2].Consequently, what we perceive is influenced as much by prior knowledge and top-down expectations as by incoming stimuli [3,4].We review evidence from neuroscience and phenomenology to support DST, examining phenomena such as sensory illusions and hallucinations which demonstrate the brain's ability to construct or alter perceptual reality endogenously [5,6].In light of these insights, we explore the internal world of religious belief and ask whether profound religious or spiritual experiences-visions, voices, and transcendent sensations-are best understood as illusions or hallucinations produced by the brain's default generative mechanisms.Our analysis suggests that even the seemingly supernatural facets of faith can be demystified as internally generated experiences, consistent with an evidence-based DST framework [7].