Perception...

The source of last week's quotes was the Prophet Mohammed and are from the Hadith - which is the reported personal sayings (as distinct from the Koran).

"Perception is real - even when it is not reality."

This is a quote of my own. You are free to use it provided you acknowledge it.

Politicians know full well that perception is what it is all about. What matters is how people see things. Most disputes and conflicts are about different perceptions. Traditionally, thinking and philosophy have been about 'truth' or search for the truth. But what about the times we do not get to the 'truth' but have to deal with perception? Getting rid of false perceptions may be a noble endeavour but learning how to deal with perceptions is far more practical.

According to David Perkins of Harvard ninety per cent of the errors in thinking are indeed errors of perception. I have been saying this for thirty years. That is why thinking programmes, like CoRT, have been directed at improving perception (breadth, depth, richness, etc.).

Education has always put the emphasis on logic (which is very important) but in real life what matters even more is perception. If your perceptions are wrong or inadequate no amount of excellent logic will give you a useful conclusion. The emphasis on logic arose because lawyers and mediaeval theologians (the key thinkers) started with fixed, given perceptions. So how you juggled these logically is what mattered. But life is not like that. You have to form your own perceptions.

Edward de Bono nmt
14th October 2000
Warsaw