> Perception is reality
Like most clichés, this is easy to say, but hard to apply. It is imprecise and does not capture its own limitations. These three words don't move us forward; we shouldn't fixate on them; we must move beyond them.
Reality exists without perception. It benefits us to clarify the difference. Here are some clearer statements that reflect current philosophical and scientific knowledge:
1. We only perceive a small, incomplete, distorted portion of reality.
2. Human perception is a flawed but useful error-corrected simulation designed to help us survive.
2. Perceptions and beliefs strongly influence individual behavior.
3. Behavior is constrained by reality (perceived or not, believed or not).
4. Over a sufficiently long time scale, individuals and groups who understand reality have a survival advantage.
5. Perceptions can deviate from reality for arbitrarily long time periods.