Do we perceive reality directly through our senses? is it possible the reality that we experience is different to the one in which we actually exist?

The Deception of Perception. What we experience directly is a virtual- reality rendering, conveniently generated for us by our unconscious minds from sensory data plus complex inborn and acquired theories (i.e. programs) about how to interpret them. Deutsch, 1998, pp120 How can we be sure that our perceptions of reality are consistent with the reality in which we exist? Is there a way to validate these perceptions? Could it be possible that we are undermined …

…reality machines (brains), for this is a deception of the mind brought about by the need to logically understand our surroundings. References: Deutsch, David, "Virtual reality" In D. Deutsch, 1998, The Fabric of Reality, Harmondsworth: Penguin, 98-122. Boden, Margaret, "Artificial Intelligence and Human Dignity". In John Cornwell, (ed), 1995, Nature's Imagination, Oxford: OUP, 148-159. Chalmers, Alan.F. "Falsificationism and Sophisticated Falsificationism" In A.F. Chalmers, 1978, What is this Thing Called Science? Milton Keynes: Open University Press, 35-56.