Can you really trust your 5 senses?

Answer 1

To a certain point.

Answer 2

In Dianetics, the senses are referred to as perceptions. There are actually over 50 perceptions. The below explains is better.

Survival and the Mind

Dianetics states that the purpose of the mind is to solve problems relating to survival.

The mind directs the individual in the effort of survival and bases its operations upon the information that it receives or records. The mind records data using what are called mental image pictures.

Such pictures are actually three-dimensional, containing color, sound and smell, as well as other perceptions. They also include the conclusions or speculations of the individual. Mental image pictures are continuously made by the mind, moment by moment. One can, for instance, examine the picture of what he had for breakfast this morning by recalling breakfast; and similarly recover a picture of an event which occurred last week by recalling it; or even recall something which happened a much longer time ago.

Mental image pictures are actually composed of energy. They have mass, they exist in space, and they follow some very, very definite routines of behavior, the most interesting of which is the fact that they appear when somebody thinks of something. If a person thinks of a certain dog, he gets a picture of that dog.

The consecutive record of mental image pictures which accumulates through an individual’s life is called the time track. The time track is a very accurate record of a person’s past. As a rough analogy, the time track could be likened to a motion-picture film — if that film were three-dimensional, had fifty-seven perceptions and could fully react upon the observer.

The mind uses these pictures to make decisions that promote survival. The mind’s basic motivation, even though a person might fail in an undertaking or make a mistake, is always survival.

That being the case, why don’t all of the actions dictated by the mind result in enhanced survival? Why do people sometimes experience irrational fears, doubt their own abilities or entertain negative emotions which seem uncalled for by circumstances?

http://www.scientology.org/html/opencms/cos/scientology/en_US/religion/description/dianetics/pg002.html

Answer 3

No. We all have experienced hallucinations, whether because of drugs, mental illness, fatigue - or simply optical illusions. Furthermore, we see and hear (sometimes feel, smell and taste) things in our dreams.

We know, thanks to our common sense, that such experiences are not 'real' although we receive the same sensory input as we do normally. Therefore, we can't always trust our senses, but we can rely on our reasoning to differentiate between what is real and what isn't.


HOWEVER...

1. "We can rely on our reasoning": we base our reasoning on what we have perceived with our senses beforehand. In other words, we acquire the knowledge we use in such cases through previous sights, sounds etc.

2. What we experience because of drugs, mental illness, fatigue, optical illusions and dreams aren't actually there. This means we don't actually experience them with our senses: they are all 'just in the mind'.


So make up your own mind.

Answer 4

I think a more appropriate question would be "can you trust your brain?" Everything we experience is the result of our brain interpreting something our senses detected. We have no real knowledge of whats happening around us, only what our brains interpret from our senses. Color and sound are not inherent properties of objects and events; they are merely interpretations. Our senses are never 'fooled'; however, how we interpret the information we percieve is sometimes very 'wrong'. Have you ever looked at something and thought it was something very different from what it is? Happens to me all the time. Or maybe you thought you heard someone say something they didn't? All results of misinterpretation, not sensory error.

Having said that, I've come to trust my brain with respect to the illusory world we live in, and so in day to day life I can function with confidence. But I do not trust my brain with respect to what's really happening. Fortunately, we don't need to know what's REALLY happening in order to have a meaningful life.

Answer 5

Most of the senses can be relied upon if, they are working correctly. Sense of smell can as is fooled every day of the week with females wearing purfume that smell similar to flowers.

Answer 6

For the most part, I trust all my senses except my sense of taste; I caught my sense of taste embezzling money from me once, and our relationship hasn't been the same since.

Answer 7

Yes, there is nothing wrong with the senses. It is the interpretation behind the senses that is the 'problem'. I do think Homo Sapiens is doing ok in terms of survival though, don't you?

Answer 8

Yes and no...
-Sight can be tricked by misdirection, and optical illusion.
-Hearing can be fooled with "3D" sound... Bose uses this technology.
-Smell, and Taste can be fooled with chemicals, and/or natual things to make something smell/taste like something else.
-Touch can be fooled with different textures, and tempatures.
Not to mention that all the senses are, are electrical impulses sent to and from the brain...
But normally speaking there shouldn't be a reason for you not to trust your senses.
CyberNara

Answer 9

Yes ..I think all senses are reliable but some are more then other senses ...i trust my gut feelings and listen to my heart..

Answer 10

To handle the material aspect of life, YES, and they have to be kept well maintained. For handling our inner being, better consciously shut all of them off. Quite a difficult thing to do, but no other way.

Answer 11

Mostly. However, I have learnt a few tricks over the years that will confuse them. Look at the magic circle for example.

xxB