What if the color you see as “red” looks different in someone else’s eyes, but they still call it “red” because that’s what they were taught?
In other words, imagine that when you see a red apple, you see it as red, but when someone else sees the same apple, it looks yellow to them. However, they also call it “red” because that’s what they were taught. Even though both of you use the word “red,” you might actually be seeing different colors. And what if the actual color of the apple is neither red nor yellow, it’s something else?
Your senses and mind interpret colors differently, but you have no way of knowing this because you both learned the same names for the colors.
My curiosity...
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wondered: what if the red I see looks like yellow to someone else, but they call it red because that’s what they were taught? And what if the actual color of the apple is neither red nor yellow, it’s something else?
This thought has always fascinated me. It’s like a puzzle I can’t solve. When I see a red apple, I know it’s red because everyone tells me it’s red. But what if, in someone else’s eyes, that same apple looks yellow?
They’d still call it red because that’s what they’ve learned. But inside, their experience of “red” could be totally different from mine. Not even what I call yellow. Saying that, what if the actual color of the apple is neither red nor yellow, it’s something else?
Out of my curiosity, I talked with ChatGPT today and searched about these terms on Google to check if I was the only one who thought like this. However, I was surprised to see many articles, research papers, and Wikipedia pages available. I have shared some of the knowledge I’ve gained from there.
What's this actually...
This phenomenon is called “color perception variation” or sometimes referred to as “qualia.” In the context of the above example, it touches on the concept of the “inverted spectrum,” which is a thought experiment in the philosophy of mind. The idea is that two people could perceive colors differently internally but would never know because they use the same color names and can function normally in society.
The term “subjective sensation” is also relevant here. It refers to the idea that our individual experiences of sensations, such as color, may be unique to each person. It highlights that the way one person perceives the color red might be different from how another person perceives it, but both call it “red” because that’s what they were taught. See another example with straberry.
Why it's so complex...
The complexity arises because subjective experiences, or qualia, are inherently personal and internal. We can’t directly access or measure another person’s internal experiences. Here are some reasons and potential ways to address this:
Reasons for Complexity
- Subjectivity of Perception: Each person’s sensory organs and neural processing might differ slightly, leading to different experiences.
- Language Limitations: We use words to describe experiences, but words can’t fully convey the internal experience.
- Philosophical Limits: The problem touches on deep philosophical issues about the nature of consciousness and reality.
Potential ways to address it...(AI)
- Scientific Measurement: While we can’t directly measure subjective experiences, we can measure brain activity and eye responses to different colors. Advances in neuroscience might one day give us more insight.
- Color Blindness and Standardized Tests: Color blindness tests show that people can have different color perceptions. Standardized tests can identify some variations, but not all subjective differences.
- Technological Advances: Future technologies, such as brain-computer interfaces, might help us understand how different people perceive the same stimuli.
- Shared References: Using common references and tools (like color swatches) helps ensure we’re talking about the same thing, even if our internal experiences differ.
Despite these approaches, there’s currently no way to fully know or compare subjective experiences like color perception directly. The phenomenon highlights the unique, individualized nature of human perception and consciousness.
My understanding & opinion...
No, I don’t think technical advances or anything else can ever fully resolve this issue because it’s about our internal experiences. Each human is different, and just as we code software with our individual biases and perspectives, our perceptions are inherently personal. There will always be variations and subjective differences that can’t be fully standardized or understood by others.
You might think that technology or science could help us figure this out, but I don’t think so. Our perceptions are deeply internal. Just like how every person codes software differently, our brains interpret colors in ways that are unique to each of us. Even with the most advanced technology, we can’t escape our individual perspectives.
This isn’t just about color. It shows how unique and personal our experiences are. Each of us sees the world in our own way, and that’s a beautiful, mysterious part of being human.
So, next time you see a red apple, take a moment to wonder what color it might be in someone else’s world. It’s a reminder of the amazing complexity of our minds and the endless mysteries of perception. 😉
Resources to know more...
Inverted Spectrum Theory: This philosophical thought experiment discusses the possibility that two people might perceive colors differently but still communicate effectively because they’ve learned the same color names.
Qualia: Qualia are individual instances of subjective, conscious experience. In this case, it refers to the personal experience of seeing a color.
Color Perception Studies: Research in neuroscience and psychology about how people perceive colors. For example, color blindness tests show that people perceive colors differently.
What’s your point of view on this? Don’t hesitate to share your opinion and knowledge in the comment box. You are welcomed to correct me too. Thanks for coming here!
