David Hume's Theory Of Perception

This statement relates to the problem of perception; and how one cannot perceive an absolute and true reality, without the interference of filters of knowledge. It defines the ongoing search for the absolute truth. Empiricist David Hume felt that, “all the materials of thinking -- perceptions -- are derived either from sensation or from reflection”, and thus all one (thinks one) sees, touches, tastes, hears and smells and what is mentally reflected upon, contributes to a constructed reality. However at the same time, empiricism is limited by its subjectivity, as senses can be deluded or incomplete, and one’s reflection upon one’s senses may be different from somebody else’s. The circumstances of one’s own data collection and sensual perception can lead to misinformation. Thus one’s sensual perception of the world may be flawed. However, what about pre-sensual data? Data is filtered even before it is sensed. This is done by the sources of knowledge that one accumulates data from. Thus, not just internal filters (the filters that have to

Psychostimulant and hallucinogenic drugs can alter the brain’s mechanics and the way one interprets information. Methamphetamines for example, which are a potent stimulant, create a profound sense of euphoria in the consumer. It does this by releasing dopamine and other neurotransmitters from vesicles in the brain, into the central nervous system, changing the way one processes and interprets data. Thus, as a reductionist would argue, how can one perceive a subjective reality close to the real objective reality, when one’s perception can be determined by simple chemical reactions in the human brain? Can the chemistry of one’s brain be controlled? Even without drugs, at any point in time, there are millions of neurons co-ordinating in one’s central nervous system, all with the possibility of purging an