Sunday, January 24, 2010

Is seeing believing?


Isn't this a cool animation? Look at the way the spirals rotate....



Actually, they do not move!
This is a purely static picture.
And, they are not spirals but circles.

Your eyes and brain apparently have trouble perceiving this image accurately because it goes against certain "normal" patterns your brain is programmed to perceive. More examples of such optical illusions are here.

What does this have to do with science, theology, and culture?
To me, it is a simple example to illustrate the point that our perceptions of what is normal, what is reality, and what is "obviously" true, can be wrong.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1


1 comment:

  1. Indeed. We are often far too optimistic about our ability to perceive reality and reason and consequences than we ought be.

    Me more so than many, I suspect.

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