Is reality real? These neuroscientists don’t think so | Big Think

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Understanding Perception and Reality

1. Introduction to Perception and Reality:

   • The video discusses the concept of external reality and how we perceive the world through our senses.
   • It highlights that our senses can conflate multiple aspects of the physical world, leading to potential inaccuracies in our perceptions.

2. Understanding Sensory Perception:

   • Our senses play a crucial role in shaping our perception of reality.
   • They not only provide us with information about what projects into our nervous system but also influence our experiences of tastes, odors, and colors.

3. Objective Reality vs. Subjective Experience:

   • Objective reality, as defined by physicists, refers to things that would exist even if there were no beings to perceive them.
   • On the other hand, subjective experiences like colors, tastes, and emotions exist in a different sense, dependent on our perception.

4. Challenges in Perceiving Reality:

   • The video challenges the assumption that our senses always provide accurate information about the world.
   • It suggests that our perceptions are shaped by evolutionary factors that prioritize survival over objective truth.

5. Limitations of Human Perception:

   • Human perception, especially in terms of color vision, is limited by the principles of quantum mechanics.
   • While we can distinguish separate tones in sound, our ability to perceive distinct colors is more complex.

6. Evolutionary Perspective on Perception:

   • Evolution has shaped our perceptions to prioritize survival, leading to perceptions that are useful for navigating the world rather than being objectively true.

7. Transperspectival Reality:

   • Reality is viewed as transperspectival, meaning that multiple perspectives contribute to our understanding of the world.
   • Each perspective offers a partial truth, and integrating these perspectives is essential for informed decision-making.

8. Scientific Approach to Truth:

   • The video introduces the scientific method as a way to approach questions and test hypotheses to uncover truths about the world.
   • Observation, questioning, hypothesis formulation, and experimentation are key components of the scientific method.

9. Value of Objective Truth:

   • The video defends the value of objective truth in fields like engineering and technology, where scientific principles have led to tangible advancements.
   • Science has enabled achievements like space exploration, medical breakthroughs, and technological innovations.

10. Learning from Theories and Equations:

    • The video emphasizes the importance of theories and equations in expanding our understanding of the world.
    • Scientists learn from theories, and sometimes, theories can reveal truths that surpass the initial understanding of the researchers.

11. Processing Information for Understanding:

    • Different questions require different ways of processing information to understand complex phenomena.
    • Understanding physical laws may differ from comprehending human thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, necessitating diverse approaches to processing information.

12. Conclusion:

    • The video concludes by highlighting the dynamic nature of reality and the importance of embracing multiple perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of the world.

By following these steps, you can gain insights into the complexities of perception, reality, and the scientific approach to understanding the world around us.