Sensesobtain

Sensesobtain is a term used in philosophy of perception and cognitive science to denote the process by which an agent acquires sensory capabilities or information channels. It covers both natural development of senses in biological organisms and the engineering of new perceptual modalities through technology. The term appears in discussions of how perception is extended beyond inherited sensory modalities and how new forms of data input become integrated into cognition.

Etymology: a compound of senses and obtain; first attested in interdisciplinary discourse in the early 21st century; used mainly in theoretical contexts rather than formal taxonomy.

Natural senseobtain: In biology, it refers to growth, differentiation, and plastic changes that enable perception, such as receptor development, neural pathway formation, and experiential calibration.

Artificial senseobtain: In augmentation, implants, wearables, or sensory substitution devices expand perceptual reach by converting environmental signals into usable neural or cognitive representations. Examples include cochlear implants, visual prostheses, haptic feedback, or echolocation-like devices.

Operational aspects: Senseobtain involves encoding, transmission, and interpretation of signals; integration with prior knowledge, attention, and memory; regulatory and ethical considerations.

See also: sensory augmentation, sensory substitution, neuroprosthetics, perception, cognition.