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On perception, interpretation and action
When we see a friend, we are capable of instantly recognising the person, whether from the front, side or even from the back. We can distinguish among millions of colour tones, just as we are able to tell apart 10,000 different scents. We can feel a feather stroked across our skin. We hear a rushing stream off in the distance. And we also know when we are served lousy coffee. We open our sensory organs – and the world comes flooding in.
With eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin, we receive stimuli, translate them into electric nerve impulses and transmit these impulses to the brain. Here they are processed in certain specific regions and experienced as images, movements, sounds, smells, tastes, temperature and touch. The brain first arranges and then interprets the combined impressions. Our perception thus helps us find our way in the world.
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