The Objectivity Assumption: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 09:44, 13 October 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. Human perception has always been an abstraction rather than a direct replication of the world around us.

This abstraction arises from the fact that we perceive the world through a unique lens. Our brains create an internal representation of external events by analyzing various features. For example, our perception of color does not directly correspond to reality; rather, colors are synthesized by our brains to distinguish between different light wavelengths. This suggests that color is an illusion, and we cannot know whether other animals perceive it in the same way we do.

This assumption of objectivity is an evolved trait that serves our survival by allowing us to navigate our environment without constant questioning. However, in today’s information age—our modern savanna—recognizing our inherent perceptual biases is essential for navigating new dark patterns. While our perceptions are subjective, this does not mean that all perceptions are equally valid or that objective truth is absent. Rather, it highlights the importance of confronting our cognitive dissonance and actively challenging our cognitive biases to achieve 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]]
-'''We often think what we perceive is an accurate, objective reflection of reality although it is a construct of our mind. This misperception is often call the "[[Bias Blind Spot|bias blind spot]]" or "naïve realism" and it is a prevalent [[Cognitive biases|cognitive bias]] in society.'''
+'''We often assume that our perceptions are accurate and objective reflections of reality, but they are actually mental constructs shaped by our minds.''' Human perception has always been an abstraction rather than a direct replication of the world around us.
-Contrary to the "''objective reflection''" assumption, perceptions are not precise copies of the world around us. Sensation is an abstraction, not a replication, of reality. The brain’s circuits construct an internal representation of external physical events after first analyzing various features of those events. When we hold an object in our hands, the shape, movement, and texture of the object are simultaneously analyzed in different brain regions according to the brain’s own rules, and the results are integrated into a conscious experience.
+This abstraction arises from the fact that we perceive the world through a unique lens. Our brains create an internal representation of external events by analyzing various features. For example, our perception of color does not directly correspond to reality; rather, colors are synthesized by our brains to distinguish between different light wavelengths. This suggests that color is an illusion, and we cannot know whether other animals perceive it in the same way we do.
-The easiest example of this is colour perception. We can argue that colors are not real—they are “synthesized” by our brain to distinguish light with different wavelengths. While rods give us the ability to detect the presence and intensity of light (and thus allow our brain to construct the picture of the world around us), specific detection of different wavelengths through independent channels gives our view of the world additional high resolution. For instance, red and green colors look like near identical shades of grey in black and white photos. Why certain wavelengths are paired with certain colors remains a mystery. Technically, color is an illusion created by our brain. Therefore, it is not clear if other animals see colors the same way we see them. It is likely that, due to shared evolutionary history, other vertebrates see the world colored similarly to how we see it. But color vision is quite common across the vast animal kingdom: insects, arachnids, and cephalopods are able to distinguish colors.
+This assumption of objectivity is an evolved trait that serves our survival by allowing us to navigate our environment without constant questioning. However, in today’s information age—our modern savanna—recognizing our inherent perceptual biases is essential for navigating new [[Dark Patterns|dark patterns]]. While our perceptions are subjective, this does not mean that all perceptions are equally valid or that objective truth is absent. Rather, it highlights the importance of confronting our [[cognitive dissonance]] and actively challenging our [[cognitive biases]] to achieve a more accurate understanding of the world.
-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.
-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.
-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, 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 09:44, 13 October 2024

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