How Vision Succeeds in a Hidden World: Perception Beyond Physical Reality

Overview

Explore the intriguing world of visual perception in this thought-provoking lecture by Dale Purves from Duke University. Delve into the fundamental challenges of vision and how our brains interpret the world around us. Discover why what we see doesn't always align with physical reality, using examples like the perception of line length based on orientation. Examine the underlying problem of how we can successfully navigate the world without accurately measuring it. Learn about an empirical approach to understanding vision through accumulated trial and error experiences. Investigate the process of collecting data on visual stimuli frequency and how it relates to human perception. Consider the role of reflexes as a universal strategy in vision. Gain insights into the key concept that the real-world sources of images cannot be known, and how this impacts our understanding of visual perception.

Syllabus

How Vision Succeeds in a Hidden World
What we see doesn't accord with physical reality...
An example: the perception of line length as a function of orientation
The Underlying Problem
Question: So how can we behave successfully in the world if we can't measure it?
Take this simple example and ask if it can be explained empirically, i.e. by accumulated trial and error experience
Step 1: Collect data that represents the frequency of stimuli in human visual experience
Step 2: Ask whether what we see is accounted for by accumulated human experience
What about the mechanism?
Reflex as a universal strategy
Key Points Overall •The fundamental challenge in vision is that the real-world sources of images can't be known
Key Points Overall ⚫The fundamental challenge in vision is that the real-world sources of images can't be known