Interpretation of Sensory Data

Interpretation of Sensory Data

This paper seeks to discuss whether our senses and the interpretation of sensory data give us an accurate view of the world or not. Moreover, the accuracy and the weaknesses of the human senses as they pertain to thinking in general and particularly to our own thinking will also be discussed.

Question # 1

Rationales for Believing in the Sensory Information's Accuracy

The process through which an individual acquire an understanding of his environment is termed as perception (Kemp et. al., 2009). In general, this is done by means of organizing and interpreting information through the five human senses. The first rationale for believing in the accuracy of sensory information is achievement of sensory information from our senses as first-hand information. For example, what is going on in the surrounding environment is seen by the eye and then the information is sent to the brain, which helps us to understand or perceive the environment (Girodo, 1999). Thus, the information obtained from our senses is pure as the sensation by the organ is not abstracted or moderated in any way.

The second rationale for believing in the accuracy of sensory information is the fact that we are enabled by prior knowledge to relate our perception to what is in actual (Kemp et. al., 2009). A person can be in a position, with the right knowledge, to differentiate whether a given taste is bitter, sour or sweet contingent upon what he perceives. In this way, the best final decision is made by a person to form the sensory information. Thus, sensory information is accurate as it forms association between knowledge and what is perceived by us.

Thirdly, information attained from our senses is very significant particularly in laying the foundation for our learning and behavior complexities in the future. ...