An academic philosopher once handed me a (pre-1970s) hardbound book called Observation and Interpretation. I don't remember the author or the book's content (anyone know??), but the title suggests a powerful distinction and a tool for thinking about these questions.
Observations ('sense data' and personally-acquired life experience) are what we can (conceivably at least) fully agree on. 'Sam has hair'. 'Don't kick boulders.' Those upon which we can agree are the foundations of (that terribly-abused word) 'truth'.
We need to careful about using the word 'perception' as a stand-in for 'interpretation'. When we talk, we agree to pretend that we understand what each of us is saying. But when the words from my reality-tunnel cross the threshold of your reality-tunnel, your ears will likely hear my sounds, but then your brain interprets them. Danger, Will Robinson!
Observations ('sense data' and personally-acquired life experience) are what we can (conceivably at least) fully agree on. 'Sam has hair'. 'Don't kick boulders.' Those upon which we can agree are the foundations of (that terribly-abused word) 'truth'.
We need to careful about using the word 'perception' as a stand-in for 'interpretation'. When we talk, we agree to pretend that we understand what each of us is saying. But when the words from my reality-tunnel cross the threshold of your reality-tunnel, your ears will likely hear my sounds, but then your brain interprets them. Danger, Will Robinson!