Knowledge and Perception - Essay Example

First Last Number 2 November Knowledge and Perception John Peter Berger is an English poet, painter, critic, and novelist. One of the most famous books written by Berger is Ways of Seeing. It was published in 1972, and it is regarded as one of the most influential and stimulating books on art. In this book, he demonstrates that the way we see things in majorly influenced by what we know. One may tend to perceive things in a way that it can relate to experiences or beliefs. The prime purpose of this report is to provide a vivid, detailed analysis of Berger’s views on the relationship between what we know and what we see. Moreover, we will examine how previous knowledge affects how we perceive what we see through examples demonstrated by authors. It might occur to many people that the words seeing and looking can be regarded as synonyms. Identifying the difference between these two terms will help one understand perception and reality. These two words can appear as interchangeable terms that can be used to define a person’s ability to perceive with the eye. In the case of art, the words seeing and looking are different. When people are looking at something then, it can be viewed as noticing few details or glancing at it. In other words, to look at something is examining the outer part (surface) in terms of structure and layout. According to Berger, seeing the work of art is not only a means to understand it but also observe it to go far from the surface. “When we see a landscape, we situate ourselves in it. If we saw it the art in the past, we situate ourselves in history.” (p. 11). Berger suggests that seeing an object places one in that scenario to relate. The title of the book Ways of Seeing denotes that the author has effectively the art of seeing, not only the perception on certain subjects which is seen in the world of art, but also goes to a prodigious extent to define the importance of seeing and transformation of seeing throughout the years. The author also delivers another example in which seeing can occur before words. It is seeing that helps to understand the place of an individual in the world. People explain the world with the help of words. Moreover, words by no means can deny the fact that people are encircled by words. Seeing comes before we speak. To speak, we need to understand what we are seeing. The sight of an object is brought through our experience and knowledge. Berger discusses the perception of seeing art, which is different than it was the past. Traditionally, paintings are viewed as static and stationary. They are only at one time and one place such as the human eye. The arrival and technological advancement of the camera replaced the one-dimensional thinking of people. The author also presented the importance of camera, which replaced the knowledge of one-dimensional. John Peter Berger discussed that the perception of what people see a drastically changed from past. When camera is focused on anything then firstly it reproduces, then render it and finally it can available anywhere and in any size. Berger provides example of Virgin of the Rocks by da Vinci. The author stated that previously the art of da Vinci could be only found in Renaissance art gallery and some other valuable similar-themed arts. Moreover, it can be found that very least people have seen the art of da Vinci. Nowadays, the art of da Vinci can be seen at any places, electronic devices, in any room and with any people. The advancement of technology and emergence of internet has provided power in the hand of people to view anything at any places and any point of time. The multiplicative nature of the camera can help to replace stillness to immobility and portability. The central insight of Berger is that “what we believe or what we know helps to structure the way we see things.” Berger personal view on the fact that what people understand an event or an image is based on belief and knowledge. Every day in our lives we experience different scenarios. From what we see, hear, and touch, we try to relate how we perceive something. For example, if you see your long lost friend, it will hit you that you have interacted with that person before. One will change how you view and relate with that person. The same applies to different objects. The human mind tries to link related items in the brain and isolates those that are unfamiliar (Tulving, 2002,p 15) Berger explain that looking is selective, we choose what we want to look at based on how we relate to the object. It can be clear from the statement that the author provides an insight to prove that the view of people is solely based on their perception. The author mentioned in the first chapter “The way of seeing of people is dependent on appreciation or perception” (p 8). Berger tries to attract the attention of the readers by stating that seeing is the pivotal reason behind the development of meanings and thoughts. The author discusses how people see women paintings. In European culture, the art of women is regarded as nothing more than the visual. Privileged Europeans view the art and paintings of women as a part of pleasure. The male audience views paintings of women solely for pleasure. Berger believes that the art and painting of women is a better way to show people their vulnerable and innocent state and can be also regarded as a sign of submission of painting to the demands and feelings of owner. Hence showing that people try to associate with what they see based on their knowledge and belief. Berger provided an example to prove the distinction between what we know and what we see. People see that sun is revolving around the earth, but the people know the fact that it is opposite. People know that the earth is turning away from the sun but sees on every evening that the sun sets (p 7).The author then goes on to state that way of people seeing things is affected by what people believe or know. Berger believes that process of knowing and seeing things make dynamic relationships. Moreover, this process of relationships can start from people with recognition and seeing. This start of recognition and seeing things can lead to the development of a system. Moreover, the way of seeing things can be changed by past knowledge and experience of people. In the sight section, the author reveals that the knowledge of people reading any issues or topics can change the perception and can create huge effect on personal experience. The knowledge and experience of people can result in understanding of seeing things differently. Knowledge can vary from one individual to another. Berger provides an example that the meaning of sight of a fire can be perceived more different at the time of Middle Ages than that present. People different believe the knowledge of the physical existence of hell. This notion is true from another example of the author on photograph that, the snapshot taken by most casual family can be reflected by the choice of the photographer. It is evident that knowledge affects how we perceive things. According to Rogoff (2003), people have different perception based on their knowledge, for example, how a person raised in Africa may not view things the same way a person who was raised in the USA. The difference is based on the background and knowledge they have acquired over time. Knowledge influences perception by giving you an insight on how the object you are viewing is or should be. Different authors have tried to expound on Berger’s philosophy. For instance, Tom & Carol, the author of the book Deaf in America, try to bring into perspective on how the deaf view their lives. The authors are deaf themselves and try to illuminate the culture and life of deaf people through art, their everyday talk, and their shared myths from the inside. The tension of deaf people on the way of hearing things and views of themselves and tales about their origins has been introduced in the book. The way of seeing things is different for deaf people in that they interact through signs and lip reading rather than speech. The use of signed language is regarded as the central part of the cultural heritage of deaf people. The simple set of gestures used for deaf people can help them to understand languages. Deaf people view objects differently compared to hearing people. For deaf people, the use of signed language is regarded as life-giving and allows them to see things differently than that of hearing people. Hence, it can be stated that the way of seeing things and knowledge can be different for unlike people. Through their experiences, their way of perceiving things is different from others. The way their acquire knowledge, beliefs and experiences alter how they view the world. Same thing to hearing people, the knowledge acquired affects how they interact and perceive objects. Conclusion Berger not only delivered a detailed learning article but also provided a well-designed presentation and masterful explanation on the ways of seeing of people, which is affected by beliefs and knowledge. The author tried to discuss the way of seeing art from the past to present. Berger has effectively illustrated the interrelated dynamic environment with blends of pictures and words in the book. Berger attempts to examine how knowledge has influenced the perception over time. In this essay, we have examined, Berger’s work and explained how knowledge influences how people view things. Moreover, we have examined how several authors have supported Berger’s notion about perception. In conclusion, knowledge is a central point of perception. Work Cited Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. London: Penguin, 2008. Print Rogoff, Barbara. The Cultural Nature Of Human Development. Oxford [UK]: Oxford University Press, 2003. Print. Tulving, Endel. Episodic Memory: From Mind To Brain. Annual review of psychology 53.1 (2002): 1--25. Print. Read More