1. TOK: Ways of Knowing Sense Perception

3. We perceive the world through our 5 senses. Our 5 senses are: Sight Sight Hearing Hearing Touch Touch Smell Smell Taste Taste

4. Sense Perception is an important dimension of our understanding of the World  The channel of communication between ourselves and the outside world  Its function and scope should be examined and critically evaluated

5. There are differing views on the role of our five senses towards the acquisition of knowledge Common-Sense Realism : Perception is a passive and relatively straightforward process which gives us an accurate picture of reality Common-Sense Realism : Perception is a passive and relatively straightforward process which gives us an accurate picture of reality

6. Common Sense Realism The way we perceive the world mirrors the way the world is

7. Sense perception is the active, selective and interpretive process of recording or becoming conscious of the external world

8. Perception can be thought of consisting of two distinct parts Perception can be thought of consisting of two distinct parts Sensation: The part provided by the world around us Sensation: The part provided by the world around us Interpretation: The part provided by our minds Interpretation: The part provided by our minds

9. Our experience of the world is affected not only by what is ‘out there’ but also by our sense organs AND our minds

10. Questions to Discuss 1. To what extent do our senses give us knowledge of the world as it really is? 2. What role does what we expect to see, or are used to seeing, play in what we observe? 3. What is meant by the saying ‘knowledge is the true organ of sight, not the eyes’? 4. Do you think perception is a more important source of knowledge in some subjects rather than others?