The Objectivity Assumption: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:38, 25 August 2024

Figure 1. Rene Descartes quote on Naive Realism

We often assume that our perceptions are accurate and objective reflections of reality, but they are actually mental constructs shaped by our minds. This cognitive distortion, known as the "bias blind spot" or "naïve realism," is one of the most widespread cognitive bias in society. It's so pervasive that it often leads to a related bias called the "assumed similarity bias," where individuals believe that their personal interpretation of the world is shared by others.

Contrary to the belief that our perceptions mirror reality, human perception is an abstraction, not a replication, of the world around us. Our brains construct an internal representation of external events by analyzing various features. For example, colour perception is not a direct reflection of reality; colours are synthesized by our brain to differentiate light wavelengths. This means colour is an illusion, and it's uncertain if other animals perceive it as we do.

This assumption of objectivity persists because our brain's model of the world feels real, aiding our survival. Acknowledging the subjectivity of our perceptions can be uncomfortable and challenge our beliefs, leading to cognitive dissonance. Societal norms further reinforce this belief in objectivity, rewarding confidence and discouraging questioning.

However, recognizing our biases is essential. While our perceptions are subjective, this doesn’t mean all perceptions are equally valid or that objective truth doesn’t exist. It simply means we must actively challenge our cognitive biases to approach a more accurate understanding of the world.

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 [[File:Naive Realism2.png|alt=Naive Realism|thumb|'''Figure 1'''. Rene Descartes quote on Naive Realism]]
-'''The assumption of objectivity otherwise known as  "[[Bias Blind Spot|bias blind spot]]" or "naïve realism" in humans is a prevalent [[Cognitive biases|cognitive bias]] that stems from our tendency to believe that our perceptions and beliefs are accurate, objective reflections of reality.''' We tend to think that we see the world as it is, not realizing that our perceptions are influenced by our personal experiences, beliefs, cultural backgrounds, and cognitive processes.
+'''We often assume that our perceptions are accurate and objective reflections of reality, but they are actually mental constructs shaped by our minds. This cognitive distortion, known as the "[[Bias Blind Spot|bias blind spot]]" or "naïve realism," is one of the most widespread [[Cognitive biases|cognitive bias]] in society. It's so pervasive that it often leads to a related bias called the "[[assumed similarity bias]]," where individuals believe that their personal interpretation of the world is shared by others.'''
-There are several reasons why this assumption is so prevalent. First, it's a natural outcome of how our brains process information. Our brains take in information from our senses and construct a model of the world that feels objective and real to us. This model helps us navigate the world and make decisions, so it's beneficial for our survival and success.
+Contrary to the belief that our perceptions mirror reality, human perception is an abstraction, not a replication, of the world around us. Our brains construct an internal representation of external events by analyzing various features. For example, colour perception is not a direct reflection of reality; colours are synthesized by our brain to differentiate light wavelengths. This means colour is an illusion, and it's uncertain if other animals perceive it as we do.
-Second, acknowledging that our perceptions are subjective can be uncomfortable and can cause [[cognitive dissonance]]. It introduces uncertainty and can challenge our sense of self and our beliefs. Therefore, we often resist acknowledging our biases and maintain the belief in our objectivity.
+This assumption of objectivity persists because our brain's model of the world feels real, aiding our survival. Acknowledging the subjectivity of our perceptions can be uncomfortable and challenge our beliefs, leading to [[cognitive dissonance]]. Societal norms further reinforce this belief in objectivity, rewarding confidence and discouraging questioning.
-Finally, societal norms and structures often reinforce the assumption of objectivity through the [[Status Quo Bias]] reaffirming the idea of a [[Consensus Reality|consensus reality]]. For example, in many cultures, people are rewarded for being confident and certain, which can discourage people from questioning their own perceptions and beliefs.
+However, recognizing our biases is essential. While our perceptions are subjective, this doesn’t mean all perceptions are equally valid or that objective truth doesn’t exist. It simply means we must actively challenge our cognitive biases to approach a more accurate understanding of the world.
-However, it's important to note that while we all have biases and our perceptions are inherently subjective, this doesn't mean that all perceptions are equally valid or that objective truth doesn't exist. It simply means that achieving a more objective understanding of the world often requires us to actively acknowledge and challenge our [[Cognitive Biases|cognitive biases]].

Latest revision as of 23:38, 25 August 2024

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