Ghost in the Shell and Brahman
An animated film set in the year 2029, Ghost in the Shell portrays a universe similar to our own but taken to the next level of evolution. At this point in history, cybernetics and the Internet have exponentially developed to a level that all humans are connected to a global ubiquitous electronic network. Further, many but not all have undergone surgery to alter their bodies by integrating cybernetic technology which enhances their abilities. The result of these changes sets the backdrop for a dystopian sci-fi epic filled with intense philosophical dialogue concerning the essential nature of humanity and evolution. However, for this personal reflection blog, I’d like to view the film from a religious perspective, specifically from the viewpoint of the Hindu “Brahman” conception of the divine.
An animated film set in the year 2029, Ghost in the Shell portrays a universe similar to our own but taken to the next level of evolution. At this point in history, cybernetics and the Internet have exponentially developed to a level that all humans are connected to a global ubiquitous electronic network. Further, many but not all have undergone surgery to alter their bodies by integrating cybernetic technology which enhances their abilities. The result of these changes sets the backdrop for a dystopian sci-fi epic filled with intense philosophical dialogue concerning the essential nature of humanity and evolution. However, for this personal reflection blog, I’d like to view the film from a religious perspective, specifically from the viewpoint of the Hindu “Brahman” conception of the divine.
In the film, the all-pervasive electronic network has connected everyone and everything. Myriad living beings exist entirely on the net and make changes to physical reality. Even normal human beings with physical bodies, can “jack-in” a la matrix style to browse architectural blueprints, open doors, turn on TVs as well as take care of other tasks. Essentially, this network is an infinite space composed of the will and consciousness of all humans which ultimately has the power shape and affect the world of appearance. To this extent, it bears a significant similarity to the later Vedic conception of Brahman, which may be understood simply as an ultimate reality of “pure being and consciousness” that affects the physical reality of appearance. While rational understanding is not usually applied to defining Brahman, its basic description serves a similar function to the net. For instance, both do not exist in the world of appearance, but rather exist as an underlying scheme that controls it. When characters in GitS enter the net, they do so covertly and the changes they make to reality are imperceptible to other beings. Further, there are some beings, such as the artificial intelligence known as the Puppet Master, exist entirely on the net and have no physical existence, but rather control the world from the outside.
Ultimately, the similarity between the two is vague and precarious at best. This is especially so as no definite statement regarding the essence of Brahman may be made. Regardless, it is a matter well worth investigating further.
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