Response to Alyssa's Post

In Chapter 13, Hauser explains that structures are basic to perception. The realities that we form about life are constructed by our perceptions. Therefore, what we see as reality is in fact not all true. Hauser states “The brain does not record exact images of the external world like a camera does (247).” I think this statement presents well the image that what we see to be reality is just our perception of it. Hauser then goes on to explain that “our perception of reality requires structure (247).” These structures are formed by our brains when we try to make out reality. All that we experience also obtains some sort of structure. We can’t make sense of our experiences without the familiarity of structure. Hauser’s ideas on perception are easy to grasp, however his idea on structure is more confusing. Do these structures that we use to frame our experiences and perceptions come from what we learn and experience? Or is structure something that is taught to by our parents from what they have experienced? Therefore, I am curious about where structure is obtained from?



I think that Hauser's statement "The brain does not record exact images of the external world like a camera does," is really interesting and something that I would like to discuss. I have heard, and I can't remember where, but the point is that I have heard that when the pilgrims first came to North America, the Native Americans literally did not even see the ships that they came across the sea on because it was so unlike anything that they had ever seen that it was beyond their perception. They had never experienced or seen anything like that before so they could not comprehend what it was they were seeing. There was nothing that they had to frame that experience with so they couldn't even see it. An example that is more relatable to today would be September 11th. No one had an experience of seeing planes crashing into buildings. I would argue that if there weren't pictures of it actually happening, it would be so much more difficult to talk about, people wouldn't believe what happened if there weren't pictures of it because it is beyond comprehension prior to that day.
I think that the structures that we use to frame our experiences and perceptions come from a variety of places. However, I think that the majority of the structures do come from our parents. Before we were old enough to interpret our own experiences or perceptions, our parents did it for us. They were the means by which we perceived the world. Even now, things that I experience and perceive are still somewhat framed by what my parents believe. I have a great amount of respect for them and what they think. The values that they instilled in me when I was a kid still resonate with me today. I think that other influential people in our lives also serve as frames. Also other experiences and perceptions shape future experiences and perceptions, as I touched on in my last blog.