Portrait of Bernardo Kastrup

Bernardo Kastrup

Philosopher and Computer Engineer

Bernardo Kastrup is a Dutch-Brazilian philosopher and computer scientist who has challenged one of science’s biggest assumptions: that the physical world exists independently of consciousness. Kastrup is recognized for his contributions to consciousness studies, notably through his formulation of analytic idealism—a variant of metaphysical idealism rooted in the analytic tradition.

His revolutionary idea suggests that consciousness isn’t produced by the brain—rather, everything we call “physical reality” is actually patterns within one universal consciousness. Think of it like a cosmic mind experiencing different dreams, where each of us represents a localized perspective within that larger awareness.

Born in Brazil and later relocating to Europe, Kastrup has authored numerous books and academic articles challenging physicalism and advocating for the view that consciousness constitutes the foundation of reality. As executive director of the Essentia Foundation, he continues to develop what he calls “the 21st-century’s only plausible metaphysics”—a bold attempt to solve the hard problem of consciousness by turning our understanding of reality inside out.

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Cover image for The Idea of the World

The Idea of the World

A rigorous case for the primacy of mind in nature, from philosophy to neuroscience, psychology and physics. The Idea of the World offers a grounded alternative to the frenzy of unrestrained abstractions and unexamined assumptions in philosophy and science today. This book examines what can be learned about the nature of reality based on conceptual parsimony, straightforward logic and empirical evidence from fields as diverse as physics and neuroscience. It compiles an overarching case for idealism - the notion that reality is essentially mental - from ten original articles the author has previously published in leading academic journals. The case begins with an exposition of the logical fallacies and internal contradictions of the reigning physicalist ontology and its popular alternatives, such as bottom-up panpsychism. It then advances a compelling formulation of idealism that elegantly makes sense of - and reconciles - classical and quantum worlds. The main objections to idealism are systematically refuted and empirical evidence is reviewed that corroborates the formulation presented here. The book closes with an analysis of the hidden psychological motivations behind mainstream physicalism and the implications of idealism for the way we relate to the world.

The Universe in Consciousness

Imagine a world where everything is connected by a single mind. In his paper, Bernardo Kastrup argues that reality is fundamentally mental, not physical. He suggests that what we perceive as individual consciousness is actually fragments of a universal consciousness. Kastrup challenges the mainstream view of materialism, proposing instead that the mind is the primary substance of the universe. By integrating concepts from psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy, he presents a compelling case for a mental universe, urging us to rethink our understanding of reality.

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Ruben Laukkonen and Shamil Chandaria

A Beautiful Loop

Laukkonen and Chandaria propose that consciousness arises from a recursive brain process involving three key elements: a reality model, competitive inferences reducing uncertainty, and a self-aware feedback loop. This framework explains various states of awareness, including meditation, psychedelic experiences, and minimal consciousness. It also offers insights into artificial intelligence by connecting awareness to self-reinforcing predictions. The authors’ theory suggests that consciousness emerges when the brain’s reality model becomes self-referential, creating a “knowing itself” phenomenon. This recursive process underlies different levels of conscious experience and potentially informs AI development.

Christof Koch

DMT and Integrated Information Theory

Neuroscientist Christof Koch’s 5-MeO-DMT experience, marked by self-dissolution and “terror and ecstasy,” sparks a deep discussion on consciousness, Integrated Information Theory (IIT), and reality. IIT suggests consciousness is non-computable and may exist beyond individual brains, potentially forming higher-order minds. Koch inquires whether his psychedelic journey was a mere brain state or a glimpse into a universal mind.