perceptus

Perceptus is a term used in philosophy and cognitive science to denote a theoretical framework for perception that emphasizes the integration of sensory input with prior knowledge and contextual information to generate perceptual experience. It denotes a family of models rather than a single theory, all seeking to explain how the brain infers the state of the world from imperfect data.

The term derives from the Latin perceptus meaning "perceived" and has appeared in English academic discourse since the late 20th century.

In philosophy and cognitive science, perceptus appears in discussions of perceptual content, realism, and constructive theories of perception. Proponents argue perception is not simply passively recorded but constructed by combining bottom-up sensory signals with top-down expectations, prior beliefs, and context. In computational models, perceptus-inspired approaches align with predictive coding and Bayesian brain theories, treating perception as probabilistic inference that selects the most probable interpretation of sensory data.

In technology and culture, the name Perceptus has been used in speculative fiction and, occasionally, as a brand or project label for perceptual augmentation technologies. However, there is no single widely recognized product or organization universally identified with the term.

See also Perception, Predictive coding, Bayesian brain.