How one begins to comprehend the world, there is a way to so-called "living contemplation."Typically, under him understand sensory perception, or reflection of reality in the form of sensations, perceptions and ideas.Between the various philosophical currents dispute arose about whether caused by these types of understanding social practice, or whether they can be reduced to the mental activity (mainly passive) single individual.In addition, the dispute has raised a problem that the main thing in this process - how we act in the contemplated object, or how their brain activity we are the subject construct.
perceptual knowledge begins with experience.It arises due to the fact that some phenomenon or individual properties directly affect the human senses and create the first reflection of these phenomena in our minds.Therefore, there was even a theory that we are given only a "grab" some properties, and there are real connections between them, which we supposedly set up, is still unknown.Whatever it was, the subject of linking with the outside world and being one of the sources of information provide an incomplete feeling, a very limited and one-sided picture of reality.A striking example of this is the famous parable of the elephant and the blind men four, who could not tie together what groped.
sensory cognition as the process continues the next, more difficult step - perception.This already reflects the totality of the properties inherent in things and phenomena.That is the stage of understanding gives us a more holistic way that we can share the many aspects and nuances.Thus, despite the fact that the foundation is feeling perception, it is not limited to the amount of machining.This is a totally different shape, which not only allows us to learn something new (for example, reveals the properties and characteristics of certain objects), but also performs the function of control of the process.Perception directs our activities based on the specific qualities of objects that have become known to us through him.
perceptual knowledge also creates images or presentation, but not in terms of the direct impact of objects on the subject, and from the memory of the traces of this influence, which happened earlier.Thus, a generalized picture of the phenomenon or object, which we did not see or hear.Moreover, such an image can not only play the past, but also extrapolated to the future, becoming the imagination.Of interest in this regard the theory of Locke and Berkeley on the human consciousness as a particular mirror, creating a picture of the whole of its parts.
Thus, the initial ways of knowing based on a more or less adequate reflection of the object or phenomenon in our brain through the senses.However, they can be fully considered as such only when it comes to determining the source of our knowledge of reality.After all, this kind of information can only be considered knowledge in the philosophical sense of the word, if it related to the further mental activity, is subject to its categorical apparatus of logic and control it.In other words, if each such sensual form contains the human meaning and significance, then it can be considered the first step in understanding the world.
Without triad sensation, perception, reflection would be impossible to basic levels of knowledge.However, it is limited in nature and features and can not completely give true or even approaching it with a considerable degree of probability of informing about reality.This level is achieved the next stage of the process of understanding that goes beyond immediate perception.This highest form of knowledge, compared with the sensual, is rational thinking.
