Reality tunnel

Reality tunnel is a term, coined by Timothy Leary, which refers to the subjective perspective and cognitive framework through which an individual interprets and interacts with the world. It is a concept widely used in philosophy, psychology, sociology, and cognitive science to explain how personal beliefs, cultural conditioning, and environmental factors shape our perception of reality.

Concept

The concept of the reality tunnel suggests that each individual interprets the same world differently, based on their personal experiences, beliefs, and cognitive biases. This interpretation forms a "tunnel" through which they perceive reality. The reality tunnel is not a fixed or objective reality, but rather a personal, subjective construction.

Origins

The term "reality tunnel" was first used by Timothy Leary, a psychologist and writer known for his advocacy of psychedelic drugs. Leary used the term to describe the idea that our perceptions of reality are shaped by our subjective experiences and cognitive biases.

Influence on Perception

The reality tunnel concept is often used to explain why different people can have vastly different interpretations of the same events or experiences. For example, two people might witness the same event but have completely different interpretations of what happened based on their individual reality tunnels.

In Popular Culture

The concept of reality tunnels has been explored in various forms of media, including literature, film, and television. It is often used as a metaphor for the subjective nature of reality and the idea that our perceptions are shaped by our personal experiences and beliefs.

See Also

• Perception
• Cognitive bias
• Subjectivity
• Cultural relativism