How do we know what we know?

Question

It appears that our senses are what inform our brains but how can we sense that our senses are not lying to us?
i.e. I sense that a bird is flying in the sky with my eyes, how do I test that my sense is telling me the truth?

Some of the answers have been honest and thought out, but I am not looking for answers like: "We know, but we don't know". That's a contradiction.
On the one hand, if we admit that we cannot know anything for sure, then on the other hand we would have to admit that we know that we cannot know anything for sure and therefore are admitting that we know something.

Answer 1

How do you know that you really do know what you know?

Answer 2

Some things we just know and always have. Perhaps they are part of who we are. Sometimes we "forget" them and have to "remember" them again, but they were always a part of anyone who is willing to accept that inner knowing.

Our senses can be fooled. Ask ten people to describe what they just saw and you will often get ten different answers. Our minds can fool us with rationalizations and things that seem logical given the current evidence and are often proven wrong when additional evidence is discovered.

Each person's "reality" is seen through their own filters so each persons VIEW of "reality" is different. (We see only that which agrees with what we currently believe and filter out everything else.)

For those scientific types who will argue that there is "only ONE reality" here is an example:

If a person is born into the ghetto and believes their only path is gangs, dealing drugs, and dying young, THAT will be that person's reality (unless they change their thoughts before they die).

If another person is born into that same ghetto - maybe even into that same immediate family - and THEY believe that "America is the land of opportunity" THAT is that person's reality. They will strive to do whatever it takes to make that dream happen, most likely leaving the ghetto and becoming as successful as they are capable of imagining.

Two people, same ghetto, same family, same circumstances EXCEPT for their beliefs - their thoughts. Each person's reality is whatever they decide to do with it.

If you want to create your reality any way you desire, I recommend the movie The Secret. I will put the link to a site where you can watch it online or buy the DVD in the source box.

Answer 3

You are ready to read Zen philosophy. A zen master asked his student where are the birds? and student answered "they're gone" and the master slapped him across the face and said
something something. Really don't remember the reply except it had to do the birds were not in one realm whether here or gone the same.

Second answer is "are you in dimension where you want truth or sensation. the sensation you live in (fun laughs smiles presents)
is what you do sometimes.
If you want to be in dimension of truth "Whose truth? are we talking about"
I think you'd like to hear the discussions that go on Coast to Coast on WABC AM radio from mindnight until 5 in the morning.
Maybe take away the word truth and put in depth where you consider many aspects of universe.
Also there is a unique look and inspiring look at Truth and knowledge called Voice of Knowledge. Take a peek at this and you will think he's answering your question.

Answer 4

this is an excellent question. the answer to it doesnt exist. there are so many different forms of science that it confuses me. like how do you know what another human feels? think of this in a mental state, a physical state, and a spiritual state. hell how do you know this isnt just a dream. also how do you know the difference between a dream and life. in a way, its all the same. this can get into some deep thinking.

Answer 5

You could shoot the bird out of the sky and touch it to confirm it was real. You seen it fall from above so you know it was up above you.

I don't know. I still think their are hole in my proof.

Answer 6

You can't. You have to accept it on faith.
Cognito ergo sum (I think therefore I am) is about it. Beyond that is experiential. And that comes through our senses. Believe them or not.

Peace

Answer 7

Because we know.