ToK essay- we see and understand things not as they are but as we are

perception is an important element of our gained “knowledge”. Two different individuals who have had very dissmiliar experiences will have various opinions regarding a vast amount of things this is why some people have arachnophobia but others are completely comfortable around spiders. This shows that perception plays a great role in the making of the foundations of our society. The example I would like to throw light upon is the contreversial subject of cannibalism. Suprisingly, the single most influential factor that drives people into becoming a cannibal is social pressure. But we as a produce of a civilised society think of this as a devastating and savage act but in certain tribes of Africa it is seen as aintegral part of a ritual and also humans that are devoured are only eaten as a form of punishment. The tribe leaders equate this to cannibalism and also use the theory of evolution where members of various classes eat the same species. This is seen in angel fish which often eat their young. The cannibalism is a form of discipline and also human flesh is thought to be the most desirable which is why in japan the most expensive dish available even more grotesque than live monkey brain is baby foetus. Now we look at this act of cannibalism as a state for only illiterates and uncivilised. But as I mentioned earlier to us our beliefs are factual but to the same tribsemen their beliefs  are just as veracious to them as ours are to ourseleves. Another fine example would be the creative work that is now very popular in modern society, such as abstract art and various forms of poetry. Every individual interprets this differently. Psychiatrists often show a random blot of ink which has taken an absurd form to patients to see their perceptions and try to analyse their minds, since man can not forget his experiences the answers suit the individual, and based on these experiences a belief is formed. What we need to conclude whether a statement is true is we need to learn to be curious enough to question our beliefs. As Bertrand Russel once said “I would never die by my belief in the possiblity that I might be wrong. “