danot Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Here's a thought provoking question. For the purpose of this discussion, lets imagine that since birth, my only means of viewing the world has been a simple mirror device attached to my head that allows me to see the reflected images of whatever is behind me. I have no other way of seeing, the device is my only means. Would I be correct in believing that I never actually saw any of the objects I've been looking at my entire life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obelix Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 It's hardly though provoking though. You could equally well say that since the only way normal people see if via a cornea and lens that focus and unvert the incoming light they have spent their entire life seeing things upside down. If you want to explore this train further though it's been done a couple of milennia ago - get a copy of the Cave by Plato from http://www.gutenberg.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danot Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 It's hardly though provoking though. You could equally well say that since the only way normal people see if via a cornea and lens that focus and unvert the incoming light they have spent their entire life seeing things upside down.But this doesn't address my question Obelix. You're addressing something I never asked. Originally posted by Obelix If you want to explore this train further though it's been done a couple of milennia ago - get a copy of the Cave by Plato from http://www.gutenberg.net Thanks for the info, I'll take a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcoblog Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Here's a thought provoking question. For the purpose of this discussion, lets imagine that since birth, my only means of viewing the world has been a simple mirror device attached to my head that allows me to see the reflected images of whatever is behind me. I have no other way of seeing, the device is my only means. Would I be correct in believing that I never actually saw any of the objects I've been looking at my entire life? Why not stand facing away from a mirror behind you to see what's going on in front? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alien Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Here's a thought provoking question. For the purpose of this discussion, lets imagine that since birth, my only means of viewing the world has been a simple mirror device attached to my head that allows me to see the reflected images of whatever is behind me. I have no other way of seeing, the device is my only means. Would I be correct in believing that I never actually saw any of the objects I've been looking at my entire life? The actual objects no. A reflection of the objects yes. Although you would perceive the objects as real if you had no other criteria to work from. (If I understood your question that is) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VideoPro Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Answering the thread title: Neither. What you see in the reflection disappears when the reflective medium is removed. The original objects remain. An optical illusion is a trick played by the eye on the mind. Which line is longer here; <----------> or >----------< ? They are the same length. See M.C Eshers "Waterfall" drawing for an excellent example of an optical illusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danot Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 Why not stand facing away from a mirror behind you to see what's going on in front? I suppose I could do that if I removed the device that I'm wearing.. the device that is my only means of seeing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alien Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Here's a thought provoking question. For the purpose of this discussion, lets imagine that since birth, my only means of viewing the world has been a simple mirror device attached to my head that allows me to see the reflected images of whatever is behind me. I have no other way of seeing, the device is my only means. Would I be correct in believing that I never actually saw any of the objects I've been looking at my entire life? Answering the thread title: Neither. What you see in the reflection disappears when the reflective medium is removed. The original objects remain. An optical illusion is a trick played by the eye on the mind. Which line is longer here; <----------> or >----------< ? They are the same length. See M.C Eshers "Waterfall" drawing for an excellent example of an optical illusion. I think (stand to be corrected) the idea that danot is coming from is no outside influence. See bold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danot Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 The actual objects no. A reflection of the objects yes. Although you would perceive the objects as real if you had no other criteria to work from. (If I understood your question that is) Yes you've understood my question, that's exactly what I meant. But don't our eyes work in the same way as the device I described? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phanerothyme Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Would I be correct in believing that I never actually saw any of the objects I've been looking at my entire life? What do you mean by see? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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