Your social reality isn’t an absolute reality. A leading neuroscientist explains why.

❍ Subscribe to The Well on YouTube: https://bit.ly/welcometothewell
❍ Up next: Why belief is the most powerful disruptor    • Why belief is the most powerful disru...  

Our perception of reality is not an exact representation of the objective truth but rather a combination of sensory inputs and the brain’s interpretation of these signals. This interpretation is influenced by past experiences and is often predictive, with the brain creating categories of similar instances to anticipate future events.

The brain’s categorization process extends beyond physical characteristics to include abstract, functional features. This ability allows humans to create “social reality,” where we collectively assign functions or meanings to objects or concepts that don’t inherently possess them, such as the value of money or the concept of borders and citizenship.

The brain’s capacity for imagination, drawing from past experiences to create something entirely new, is a double-edged sword. While it allows for creativity and innovation, it can also lead to difficulties in staying present.

Read the full video transcript: https://bigthink.com/the-well/what-is...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

❍ About The Well ❍

Do we inhabit a multiverse? Do we have free will? What is love? Is evolution directional? There are no simple answers to life’s biggest questions, and that’s why they’re the questions occupying the world’s brightest minds.

So what do they think?

How is the power of science advancing understanding? How are philosophers and theologians tackling these fascinating questions?

Let’s dive into The Well.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join The Well on your favorite platforms:
❍ Facebook: https://bit.ly/thewellFB
❍ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thewellIG