Random Mussings

Sitting in my office today, I listen to the ten-year-olds outside engaging in the perennial philosophical debate that kids seem to have around this age.

“Imagine,” one says, “that the color I see as blue when I look at the sky; you see as green. But we both call it blue, because that’s what we are told. And when you look at the grass, you see it as blue, and I see it as green.”

Minds blown.

Then there is a great debate that goes, well, nowhere. I must have heard this debate 30 times, and probably had it myself as a kid.

But this innocent exchange mirrors a profound philosophical question posed by John Locke in the 17th century, challenging our understanding of perception and communication. In his seminal work "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding," he explored the nature of human perception and knowledge. He proposed a thought experiment nearly identical to the one the kids were having today, where two people might see the sky in different colors. Although both call it "blue," one might actually perceive it as what the other would call "green." This raises significant questions about the subjectivity of sensory experiences and the limitations of our understanding of others' perceptions.

Locke's thought experiment underscores the idea that while language provides a common framework for describing experiences, it cannot fully capture the subjective nature of perception. This is especially relevant when considering how we communicate and understand those with limited language skills, such as children.

Children have rich inner worlds filled with perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. However, their developing language skills often limit their ability to express these experiences fully. This limitation does not make their ideas or perceptions any less valid or significant. In fact, it highlights the importance of finding ways to bridge the communication gap and ensure their voices are heard and understood.

Let's return to Locke and see what his thought experiment is telling us.

The Subjectivity of Sensory Experience: Our sensory experiences are inherently subjective. Locke argued that while we can describe our experiences using language, we cannot be certain that others experience the world in the same way. This subjectivity extends beyond color to other senses, such as taste, sound, and touch.

What is engaging to one person (I’m European and love EDM, especially techno) is painful to others (the repetitive fast beat gives my wife anxiety). The same is true of campers; sensory experience and enjoyment are subjective.  What we see as exciting, calming, engaging, or fun might be perceived very differently by others.

Limits of Language: Language is a tool for describing and communicating experiences, but it may not fully capture the nuances of individual perceptions. Even if we use the same words, the underlying sensory experiences they refer to might differ significantly from person to person.

We are so desperate to help kids that we take their experience and try to instantly relate and tell them about something similar we experienced rather than listen to what they are saying. Let them speak without speaking back.

Empirical Knowledge and Sensory Data: Locke was an empiricist, believing that knowledge is derived from sensory experiences. However, the thought experiment about color perception highlights the limitations of empirical knowledge. It challenges the assumption that our sensory experiences provide a complete and accurate representation of reality, emphasizing that our understanding of the world is mediated by subjective experiences.

Locke was much smarter than me, so I don’t have much to say about this one as I can barely understood him enough to write the above paragraph. But people see, hear, and experience the same thing differently. If you talk to kids after a disagreement, there are two sides to the story. Then there is what you are hearing and interpreting. And then what happened. But we might never actually know what that was.

Kids are smart. Listen to what they are saying. But understand that they see and perceive the world differently than you, and they struggle to articulate those perceptions. Given children's developing language abilities, nonverbal communication becomes crucial. Observing behaviors, facial expressions, and body language can provide insights into their emotional and perceptual states. Adults should be attentive and responsive to these cues, interpreting and validating them to foster a supportive environment.

If you want to blow their minds, tell them about Locke and the color of the sky.