Perception is the process of perceiving things through the body’s sensory organs, and describes the relationship between objects in the material world and me in the world of consciousness. Objectivist philosophy divides perception into material reactions or judgments of consciousness, but perception is an experience in which subject and object are intertwined, and through which the subject and object are separated and confirmed. Perception is not just a reaction, it is an experience of the body, a dynamic process that is constantly changing and reorganizing within a social context. It is how we understand the world and ourselves, and plays an important role in various fields such as art, science, and philosophy.
In general, “perception” means knowing about things through the body’s sensory organs. When analyzing this perception, we face two facts. First, the object and my body are in the material world. Second, my consciousness of the object is in a world other than the material world. In other words, I as a body belong to the same world as the object, while I as a consciousness belong to a different world than the object.
To understand the importance of perception, we need to take a deeper look at the role of our sensory organs. Our sensory organs receive external stimuli and transmit them to the brain, where the cognitive process begins. During this process, the different senses – sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell – work together to create a unified perceptual experience. For example, when we see an apple, we perceive its shape and color visually, feel the texture of its surface tactilely when we touch it, and experience its taste and aroma through our sense of taste and smell when we eat it. These senses work together to create a holistic perception of an object.
Objectivist philosophy has two positions on this. Either by reducing everything, including consciousness, to matter [claiming that consciousness is nothing but matter], or by identifying consciousness as an entity distinct from matter [claiming an essential difference between consciousness and matter]. According to the former, perception is understood as the material response of a subject to sensory stimuli from an object; according to the latter, perception is understood as the judgment of a subject, or consciousness, about the sensed object. Both understandings of perception presuppose the separation of subject and object. The subject and object are determined before perception and exist separately.
However, these views do not fully account for the complexity and layers of perception. Perception is more than just a response to external stimuli or a judgment made by the subject; it involves a dynamic interaction between subject and object. For example, when we look at a painting, we don’t just see its colors and shapes; we feel the emotions and meanings it conveys, which in turn changes our feelings and thoughts. This shows that perception is more than just a physical response; it is deeply connected to our inner world.
However, perception is an experience of entanglement that precedes the existence of subject and object as separate entities. For example, when I touch someone’s hand, I am touching their hand, but at the same time my hand is being touched by someone else. In the moment of entanglement, when what is sensed is simultaneously sensed, I make a clear distinction between myself and the object. It is only through the entanglement of perception that the subject and object can be separated. In other words, subject and object are only determined after perception has occurred. Therefore, perception and sensation are indistinguishable.
Perception is not a material reaction or a conscious judgment, but an experience of my body. Perception is made by your body, and everything that makes perception happen is your body. Through the body, we interact with the world, and through this process, we perceive the world. Perception is not just a reaction, it is an experience of the moment when your body meets an object, and this moment is the basis of your understanding of yourself and the world.
Perception can also extend beyond personal experience to social experience. For example, different cultural backgrounds may have different perceptions of the same object. This means that perception is not simply a function of the individual’s body, but can be shaped and transformed within a social context. Perception is therefore a dynamic process that is constantly changing and reconfiguring in the interaction between the individual, society, and the body and environment.
As such, perception is an important element of our existence, and it is more than just a sensation. Through perception, we understand the world and ourselves, and we act on that understanding. Perception enriches our existence and experience, allowing us to live more deeply.
Furthermore, perception plays an important role in many fields, including art, science, and philosophy. In art, we perceive beauty through sensory experiences; in science, we understand the laws of nature through observation and experimentation; and in philosophy, we explore the nature and meaning of perception. As such, perception is fundamental to human intellectual activity and creative expression, and is a key element that enriches our lives and culture.
A deeper understanding of perception is therefore essential to better understanding ourselves and the world, and to leading better lives. Recognizing that perception is more than just a sensory experience, it is an important process that shapes who we are and what we mean, enabling us to live richer and more meaningful lives.
