Erroneous perception of objects in reality is a phenomenon deeply ingrained in the human experience, stemming from the intricate interplay of sensory input, cognitive processes, and environmental factors. From the simplest visual illusions to complex misinterpretations of social cues, our perception of reality is often susceptible to distortion and error. Understanding how and why these misperceptions occur is crucial not only for unraveling the mysteries of human cognition but also for navigating the complexities of our everyday lives with greater clarity and accuracy.
The "Sankhya Karika" of Ishwara Krishna is a foundational text in the philosophy of Sankhya, one of the six classical schools of Indian philosophy. It is attributed to Ishvara Krishna, who is believed to have lived around the 3rd century CE. The Sankhya Karika consists of 72 verses (karikas) divided into six chapters (adhyayas), providing a systematic exposition of Sankhya philosophy.
Sankhya philosophy is primarily concerned with the analysis of the material world and the nature of reality. It posits the existence of two fundamental entities: Purusha (consciousness or spirit) and Prakriti (matter or nature). According to Sankhya, the material world is a manifestation of Prakriti, which comprises various elements and energies in constant flux. Purusha, on the other hand, is pure consciousness, distinct from Prakriti, and remains unaffected by the changes in the material world.
The Sankhya Karika elucidates the principles of Sankhya philosophy through systematic reasoning and logical argumentation. It discusses topics such as the nature of reality, the enumeration of the evolutes of Prakriti (including the twenty-five tattvas or principles), the concept of causality, the nature of the self (Purusha), and the process of liberation (kaivalya).
The text also presents perspectives on the human cognitive processes and various conditions under which right and wrong cognition happens. The idea behind presenting this is great detail is because the overall goal is to remove the "dukha" in human life and the only way to remove it is by having the right view of reality.
However, there are various circumstances under which erroneous cognition can happen. Pramana is the right source of knowledge and viparayaya represents erroneous cognition.
What leads to Erroneous perception/cognition
Sankhya Karika says
atidūrāt sāmīpyād indriyaghātān mano’navasthānāt,sauksmyād vyavdhānād abhibhavāt samānābhihārāc ca
Due to factors such as excessive distance, proximity, sensory impairment, lack of attention, small size, obstruction, psychological suppression, and confusion with similar objects, the perception of existing objects can be hindered or distorted.
Let's break down each factor:
Excessive Distance: When objects are too far away, they may appear blurry or indistinct, leading to misinterpretation or misunderstanding. This could happen because the details necessary for accurate perception are lost due to the distance.
Proximity: Conversely, when objects are too close, it may be difficult to perceive them accurately due to their proximity. For instance, if you're too close to an object, you may not be able to see its entirety, leading to a skewed perception.
Injury to Senses: Any impairment or damage to the sensory organs, such as the eyes or ears, can distort perception. For example, if someone has impaired vision, they may not see objects as they truly are.
Inattention: Lack of attention or focus can cause us to miss important details or misinterpret what we see or hear. When we're not paying attention, our brains may fill in gaps in perception with assumptions or stereotypes.
Minuteness: Objects or details that are very small may be easily overlooked or misperceived. This can occur because our senses may not be able to detect minuscule details accurately, leading to incorrect perceptions.
Obstruction: Physical obstacles or barriers can obstruct our view or limit our ability to perceive things accurately. For example, if something is partially hidden behind another object, we may only see part of it and misinterpret its true nature.
Suppression: Sometimes things csn be suppressed by other objects making it difficult to perceive them.
Mixture with what is similar: Objects or stimuli that are similar to each other can be easily confused, especially if they share common features. This can lead to misperception or misidentification of objects, as our brains may struggle to distinguish between them accurately.
Incorrect perception can result from a combination of these factors, where our sensory input is compromised or distorted in some way, leading to a flawed understanding of the world around us. It's essential to be aware of these potential sources of error and to actively engage in critical thinking and observation to minimize the impact of incorrect perception.