The ways in which you experience the world—all your perceptions and emotions—feel fundamentally true. But are they? After all, the human brain hasn’t evolved to understand itself perfectly. Its main function is to help you survive.
In service of that, your brain isn’t above obscuring the truth, or even telling lies.
Consider your emotions. When you’re sad, or angry, your mind generates its own explanations for why you feel that way. Those explanations aren’t objectively true, nor are they randomly generated. They’re based on the cultural, social, and emotional data we all share.
In our politically divided society, understanding this process has implications. It’s helpful to remember that your own opinions may not be as objective as you imagine, and that the opposing side isn’t necessarily just denying the obvious truth. Learn more in our Instaread on Subliminal.
