SC/NATS1850: Subjective Experiences and Science (WK 13)
- Scientific Realism posits that scientific theories are true descriptions of reality, while
Instrumentalism considers them to be merely instruments for prediction and technology (isn’t
inherently reflective of real world)
- Subjective experience refers to personal perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and sensations
that are unique to each individual and can only be known from their own perspective. This
type of experience can include sensory experiences such as sights, sounds, and tastes, as
well as more abstract experiences like emotions, beliefs, and memories.
- Relying solely on subjective experience to come to conclusions can be challenging
because individual experiences are prone to biases, inaccuracies, and subjectivity. This can
lead to incorrect interpretations and conclusions that are not based on objective facts.
Science helps us refine our understanding by using systematic and empirical methods to test
and validate our experiences and beliefs. Through this process, science allows us to move
beyond individual subjectivity and towards a more objective understanding of the world.
- Bokeh refers to the quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph, particularly the way in
which the background is blurred. In photography, bokeh is often used as a creative tool to
emphasize the main subject and draw the viewer's eye to it.
- Bokeh relates to our understanding of reality in that it highlights how our focus and
attention can influence our perception of the world. Just like in photography, we often focus
our attention on certain aspects of reality, while other elements fall into the background and
become less noticeable. Our attention and focus can also be influenced by our prior
experiences, beliefs, and biases, leading us to perceive the world in a way that confirms our
existing beliefs and experiences.
- Bokeh is related to confirmation bias and mediumship in that they all highlight the ways in
which our experiences and beliefs can shape our perception of the world. Confirmation bias
refers to the tendency to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms our
existing beliefs, while mediumship involves a belief in the ability to communicate with spirits
or entities that exist beyond our sensory experience. In both cases, subjective experiences
and beliefs can shape our perception of reality and lead us to see things in a way that
confirms our existing beliefs and experiences.
-
- The Heider-Simmel effect refers to the phenomenon where people tend to attribute
human-like motives and emotions to inanimate objects in the absence of explicit information
about their behavior. This effect was first demonstrated in a classic study by Fritz Heider and
Marianne Simmel in 1944.
- The Heider-Simmel effect demonstrates that our emotions can color our interpretation of
reality, even in the absence of clear evidence. When viewing an ambiguous situation, people
tend to attribute human-like motives and emotions to objects and interpret their behavior in a
way that aligns with their own emotional state. This effect suggests that our emotions can
influence the way we interpret and make sense of the world around us, shaping our
perception of reality in a subjective way.
-
- "Mediumship" refers to the belief and practice of communicating with spirits or entities that
exist beyond our sensory experience, often through a person known as a medium.
Mediumship is often associated with paranormal or spiritualist beliefs and practices.
- Scientific Realism posits that scientific theories are true descriptions of reality, while
Instrumentalism considers them to be merely instruments for prediction and technology (isn’t
inherently reflective of real world)
- Subjective experience refers to personal perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and sensations
that are unique to each individual and can only be known from their own perspective. This
type of experience can include sensory experiences such as sights, sounds, and tastes, as
well as more abstract experiences like emotions, beliefs, and memories.
- Relying solely on subjective experience to come to conclusions can be challenging
because individual experiences are prone to biases, inaccuracies, and subjectivity. This can
lead to incorrect interpretations and conclusions that are not based on objective facts.
Science helps us refine our understanding by using systematic and empirical methods to test
and validate our experiences and beliefs. Through this process, science allows us to move
beyond individual subjectivity and towards a more objective understanding of the world.
- Bokeh refers to the quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph, particularly the way in
which the background is blurred. In photography, bokeh is often used as a creative tool to
emphasize the main subject and draw the viewer's eye to it.
- Bokeh relates to our understanding of reality in that it highlights how our focus and
attention can influence our perception of the world. Just like in photography, we often focus
our attention on certain aspects of reality, while other elements fall into the background and
become less noticeable. Our attention and focus can also be influenced by our prior
experiences, beliefs, and biases, leading us to perceive the world in a way that confirms our
existing beliefs and experiences.
- Bokeh is related to confirmation bias and mediumship in that they all highlight the ways in
which our experiences and beliefs can shape our perception of the world. Confirmation bias
refers to the tendency to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms our
existing beliefs, while mediumship involves a belief in the ability to communicate with spirits
or entities that exist beyond our sensory experience. In both cases, subjective experiences
and beliefs can shape our perception of reality and lead us to see things in a way that
confirms our existing beliefs and experiences.
-
- The Heider-Simmel effect refers to the phenomenon where people tend to attribute
human-like motives and emotions to inanimate objects in the absence of explicit information
about their behavior. This effect was first demonstrated in a classic study by Fritz Heider and
Marianne Simmel in 1944.
- The Heider-Simmel effect demonstrates that our emotions can color our interpretation of
reality, even in the absence of clear evidence. When viewing an ambiguous situation, people
tend to attribute human-like motives and emotions to objects and interpret their behavior in a
way that aligns with their own emotional state. This effect suggests that our emotions can
influence the way we interpret and make sense of the world around us, shaping our
perception of reality in a subjective way.
-
- "Mediumship" refers to the belief and practice of communicating with spirits or entities that
exist beyond our sensory experience, often through a person known as a medium.
Mediumship is often associated with paranormal or spiritualist beliefs and practices.
