how do we see things?

Question

as we are or as they are?

Answer 1

As we are

It's always in reference to the relation between the object and our body. Even when we see something far off as "the same size" as something much closer, our representing that size, independant of actual sensation, isn't an inhuman part of perception.

We can make these abstract sense-judgments so that we can form uniform expectations. We see the distant, though same-sized, object as both at once, but the abstraction isn't then identical to a thing-in-itself. Without our particular form of cognition, we have no basis to understand what that thing would look like.

Answer 2

Metaphorically or physically ?
Since this is the philosophy section I will choose metaphor.
As we are then is more correct than as they are since we cannot know how they are. There is however a system to determine how another probably sees things, but that is advanced work. Study of the book Human Types by Susan Zannos can provide one interested in developing that skill with enough material to do for a long while if one is able to handle the jovial writing style.

Answer 3

Do you mean this literally or figuratively? Literally, we see color as a reflection of light. Other creatures see things differently than we do because of the way their eyes work.

Figuratively? What things? Very vague question. For most of us, events, people, objects, ideas, etc. are all "seen" through our own filter created by our life experiences. One person may see an exciting, vibrant city. Another person may see the same city and see it as dirty, scary, and crowded.

So which is it truly? Only the city knows.

Answer 4

The way we want to. This is more easily understandable if one considers the actual scale of the components of an atom. If one takes into account the fact that the neutrons, protons and electrons of an atom actually have huge spaces between them it becomes clear that the atoms that make up seemingly solid objects are made up of 99+ percent empty space.

This alone does not seem too important till you add the idea that the atoms that make up seemingly solid objects are more of a loose conglomeration that share a similar attraction but never really touch each other.

At first glance this does not really seem relevant, but closer analysis reveals that this adds a tremendous amount of empty space to solid objects that are already made up of atoms that are 99 percent space. When so-called solid objects are seen in this light it becomes apparent that they can in no way be the seemingly solid objects they appear to be.

We ourselves are not exceptions to this phenomenon.

These seemingly solid objects are more like ghostly images that we interpret as solid objects based on our perceptual conclusions.

From this we must conclude that Perception is some sort of a trick that helps us to take these ghostly images and turn them into a world we can associate and interact with. This clever device seems to be a creation of our intellect that enables us to interact with each other in what appears to be a three dimensional reality.

I hope that helps to answered your question.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 5

Buddhism is basically a form of depth psychology rather than a religion, according to some credible observers. It helps one to understand the workings of the mind, and how to overcome its numerous shortcomings.

One major area of concern is the fact that humans have numerous "filters/biases/etc" which stand between the observer and the observed. These filters, culturally and personally generated, tend to obscure, dramatically, the "truth" of what is "observed".

To recognize that such mechanisms exist, and to overcome them requires quite a bit of understanding and effort.

Many humans have neither the background nor time and interest to make inroads and progress in this area. Of course, if you don't, you can see everyday in the news what the outcome is :)))

Answer 6

We cannot see things based on "as they are". We see based on our own concepts. That is the only information we have to compare to what we see. For example the first time you watch ballroom dancers, everyone looks like an expert. After you take dancing classes yourself you are able to see the errors they make. The only thing that has changed is you.

Answer 7

The good thing about being human is that we can see things however we like. People have bad days because they chose to have one, as well as people who chose to have a good one. It's takes all kinds of people to make the world go 'round and we all serve a purpose. I'm guessing YOU see things as we are..........because you haven't seen everything.............yet?

Answer 8

We and they is one in the same. Things that are, are, logically. Our eyes are recepticles for light and shadow that send messages based on stimuli to the brain where they are processed as if by a automated computer. Hmm maybe you ARE a computer. Compute?

Answer 9

as we are for now..That is why we seeing things differently...

Answer 10

However the mind conceives of them.