Deception

The iceberg: a protruding peak; a deceptive mass. Dependent upon one’s perspective, an iceberg can deceive our senses. While above water, the iceberg appears a small floating island, with perhaps a hint of the mass that lies beneath. Below water, however, we experience a completely different object. An immense chunk of ice hovers around the ocean’s surface, its protruding peak distorted by ripples in the waves.

Our sense knowledge, also known as a posteriori knowledge, has not always been 100% accurate. The iceberg is a prime example of the deception that occurs when we rely solely on our senses for knowledge of our surroundings. That is not to say that we should not trust them, but only to question them. This much history has taught us.

Is the World flat? Does the Universe revolve around the Earth? Surely it is obvious to see that the sun rises and sets each day as it journeys around the Earth. These were, at a point in time, widely held beliefs by a majority of people. Yet today we have, by analyzing and acquiring new sense knowledge, established beliefs contrary to these. But what foundation does our modern belief have that the former did not? I suppose technology would have to be the leading answer. Just as we can detect icebergs by use of sonar pulse, so we can map our solar system (soon most of our galaxy) by way of advanced technology.

Although I do enjoy the discoveries brought about by new technology, it does lead me to wonder: Is this the truth? Our raw senses themselves are prone to deception, and now we are inserting technology between them and the information we are receiving. It seems that only time will tell.