Perception is synoymous with discernment, meaning to discover, apprehend, distiguish, etc. Perception is nothing concrete and true in itself. The sophists philsophical ideas of Gorgias express that "nothing" exists. But what is "nothing"? Is the "nothing" something only when it is percieved in a certain way? Socrates believed that by discovering "universal definitions of the key concepts" that are essential for life to funnction, life arises from destroying the illusions of a "perfect world".Illusions destort perception, truth unifies and communicates knowledge producing virture. My beliefs on perception agree more with Socrates, focusing on the truths discovered by critical reasoning. Moral character to me is shaped by ones perception. The way an individual percieves life fashions their moral character.
Attitude is "everything", I was always told as a young child, not knowing how vital this information was. Many homeless and psychotic people percieve the world and society from a very distorted view, resulting in a disfunctional life. Society plays a major role in distorting the perception of the masses. Education, entertainment, news media, politics, and culture are all tools that assist in the manufacturing of the illusion society created. Truth is the essential element that bonds Me in all aspsects of life. How I percieve the world is through anyalyzing everything critically and basing it upon the truth. The truth is universal, breaking all barriers allowing knowledge to be communicatable. "The truth shall set you free", an age old Holy Bible verse which undermines my whole belief system. The lack of truth distorts how an individual percieves, producing ignorance. Ignorance breeds confusion manifesting into choas. Cultural and political conceptual ideas that produce prejudice and bias perceptions within society.
When the world is percieved through truth, knowledge is spread promoting a positive life. One of life's most detrimental ailments is the lack of communication among members of society. Distorted perception among members of society create division which produces prejudice and racism, America's two villainous pretators. How we percieve the world is very powerful. Many tyrant societies purposly distort the perception of the masses to control them. Many say, here in America, our perception on norms and values are unconsiously being manipulated to constain the masses. Socrates had an "unwavering commitment to truth", which acquired him the status of " father of western philosophy". Socrates believed, truthful perception developed moral character, which produced a succesful, peaceful atmosphere cultivated for a society.
