Senseshaping

Senseshaping is a concept developed by philosopher and cognitive scientist Francisco Varela in the 1990s. It refers to the idea that our perception of the world is not a passive reception of sensory information, but an active process of shaping and constructing meaning from our surroundings.

Varela's theory of senseshaping suggests that our senses are not just passive receptors of external stimuli, but are actively engaged in creating a dynamic and adaptive relationship with the environment. This means that our perception of the world is not a mirror reflection of reality, but a creative interpretation of the sensory data that we receive.

The concept of senseshaping challenges the traditional notion of a passive observer-subject relationship with the environment. Instead, it emphasizes the interdependent and mutually influencing relationship between the individual and the environment. This idea is founded on the principles of chaos theory, which suggests that complex systems are impossible to predict and are subject to inherent uncertainty.

Senseshaping has been applied in various fields, including cognitive science, philosophy, and environmental studies. It highlights the importance of understanding the dynamic and adaptive nature of perception and cognition. By recognizing the active role of senses in shaping our experience of the world, people can gain a deeper understanding of how they relate to their environment and influence their surroundings.

The implications of senseshaping are far-reaching and have been explored in various contexts, including the study of attention, memory, and language. Further research in this area may deepen our understanding of the complex and dynamic relationship between the individual and the environment, and may have significant implications for our understanding of cognition and perception.