Monday quiz

Perception, a word holding so much meaning, yet meaningless without the human senses. We know perceptions are only based on genetic predispositions, past experiences, accumulated knowledge, emotions, preconceived ideas, self-interest, and cognitive distortions.

So, how accurate are our perceptions? Are they real? What is reality? Does reality exist only in the physical existence? How important is the physical existence? If perception is not physical then why is it such an important player in the physical existence?

So many questions born from a single word and the only answer I have is - I don't know.

I guess, I can apply logic to all those questions and use my intellect to dissect every question, but knowing that my intellect is based only on what I know then even after much deliberation, I still wouldn't know what I don't know. Once I know that, the next logical step will be to read some literature on those issues, gather some more knowledge and begin dissecting again. If that is the correct way, than I also have to consider that all this literature I will read is based on the knowledge of someone else. But isn't that just their perception, and how would I know that their perception is accurate? Following that logic, will it be correct to say that perception is not necessarily reality, but rather personal reality?

If perception can be viewed as personal spectacles through which one views reality, then reality is altered or influenced by one's perceptions. Does that mean non of us live in reality, but rather in a reality we have created for ourselves? Or is it we live in both?

If what happens or exists is reality or a fact, then what we think happens or exists is the truth or our perception. So, does that mean that reality is not the truth, and perception is not a fact?

Physicists look beyond the human mind for external reality, but even that reality isn't absolute truth. Fundamental reality as scientists understand it is based on quantum mechanics, a realm where all manner of strange things occur. An electron can behave as either a particle or a wave, depending on how one measures it. And scientists can measure either a particle's position or its momentum at any given time, but never both.

Is it the realisation that we don't know much about anything in depth that drives us to always seek? Is seeking better then believing? Is believing knowledge or is it the fear of the unknown? Is the seeker or the believer the one who lives in reality? Is it it the seeker's or the believer's perceptions that are more valuable? What is valuable?

I don't know.

Happy asking my wonderful fellow humans...and don't forget to smile!

Nicole xxx