The “brain in a vat” thought experiment challenges our deepest assumptions about reality, knowledge, and consciousness. In essence, it asks us to imagine a brain suspended in a vat, connected to a supercomputer that feeds it signals, creating a simulated experience of life. For the brain, this simulation feels like reality. But if the brain can’t distinguish reality from illusion, then knowledge becomes subjective. Everything we consider “true” might just be a perception—a perspective with no universal foundation.
In my view, reality isn’t truly “real” in the way we often think it is. It’s defined by what we see, sense, and experience, but there’s no objective, underlying truth that everyone can agree on as being definitively “real.” This experiment vividly captures that concept. It suggests that everything we know and perceive may just be the product of our own unique experiences—our personal reality.
The Role of Emotions in Our Reality
Emotions play a central role in shaping our perception of reality. They absolutely influence our sense of truth and what we find meaningful. As humans, we chase positive emotions and resist negative ones, which shapes how we view ourselves, our lives, and even our “truths.” Emotions color our perceptions, adding layers of meaning that feel incredibly real, even though they are highly subjective.
Subjective Reality in Modern Society
Subjective reality plays out every day in modern society, especially through social media. Social media could be the perfect reminder that reality is a construction. Yet instead, it often reinforces the opposite: the idea that there is a “right” answer to life—a formula we might be failing, or that others are somehow “doing wrong.” Social media encourages echo chambers, where people with similar subjective realities find each other and create communities of similarity. This is both incredible and potentially dangerous. These spaces provide validation and comfort, but they can also make subjective perspectives seem like objective truths.
Navigating Interactions Through Subjective Reality
Viewing reality as subjective changes how we interact with others. It calls us to be more open to differing perspectives and challenges us to craft a reality for ourselves that aligns with our own values and belief systems. This doesn’t mean imposing our beliefs on others; subjective reality, at its core, is a personal experience. Everyone lives in a unique world, shaped by their own perceptions and experiences. Embracing subjective reality influences the way we interact by helping us see that our reality isn’t necessarily true for someone across the ocean—or even for our next-door neighbor. This understanding invites us to form communities grounded in mutual respect and openness.
Reevaluating Traditions and Norms
Traditions and societal norms were created to form a sense of objective reality that doesn’t actually exist. While these constructs can offer structure, questioning them is essential to discovering meaning that feels genuine on a personal level. True meaning comes from looking inward, knowing oneself, and evolving values as we go. Building our lives on foundations we create rather than on inherited norms allows for real personal freedom. With a subjective experience of reality, it’s important to stay curious about the beliefs we hold, understanding the foundations we’ve built as we’ve grown. Why not reanalyze it all, from the ground up? Staying curious and not attaching too firmly to our beliefs is key to personal growth and evolution.
Empowerment Through Subjective Reality
Subjective reality is empowering. It allows individuals to break free from limiting beliefs and societal expectations. Ask yourself: is your reality what you want it to be? If not, what steps can you take to manifest the life you desire? If you find yourself strongly attached to a truth that feels objective, dig into the “whys.” Challenge the foundations of your truth and reexamine whether they’re truly yours or something you’ve adopted along the way.
Ultimately, the “brain in a vat” experiment sheds light on the delicate interplay between perception and reality, reminding us how personal and malleable our realities truly are.
So, go out and live your life. Not the life you think you should be living or the life someone else deems “right.” You have the power to shape your reality and make it uniquely your own.