Sensible Reality

Definition

Our common-sense notion of reality often assumes that our senses—our eyes, ears, nose, and fingertips—simply pick up an objective reality “out there.” However, the truth is more nuanced. Here are some intriguing aspects to consider:

• Reality is constructed by our brains. What we perceive as reality is not a direct mirror of the external world. Instead, our brains create a story based on sensory input.
• Most of the time, this story aligns with the physical world, but there are exceptions. Our brains unconsciously bend our perception to meet our desires, expectations, and past experiences. This can introduce biases.
• Visual illusions, like the one where an object appears to move diagonally when it’s actually moving vertically, reveal how our brains interpret sensory input. These illusions teach us that our experience of reality is not flawless.
• Blind Spots and Humility: Recognizing that our brains construct reality invites curiosity. Rather than doubting everything we sense, we can seek out our blind spots—areas where our perception might be flawed. This pursuit leads to better thinking and greater empathy. When others misperceive reality, understanding their perspective becomes easier.
• The Brain’s Limits: Our brains work hard to bend reality to match our prior experiences, emotions, and discomfort with uncertainty. This applies not only to vision but also to complex processes like thinking about politics, the pandemic, or climate change1.