REFLECTIONS OF OURSELVES: HOW OUR EYES SHAPE REALITY

“…we do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.” – Immanuel Kant

Have you ever stopped to reflect on how our perception is not an impartial mirror of reality, but rather a reflection shaped by who we are? At some point in your life, have you considered that we do not see things as they truly are, but as we are? This question, inspired by Immanuel Kant, challenges us to question the extent to which we are truly ready to see the world objectively. Do our fears, beliefs, limitations, and experiences influence us so much that we become prisoners of our own eyes?

The Veil of Perception

Our perceptions operate as deeply subjective lenses imposed on the external world. Contrary to popular belief, the human mind is not an impartial camera; it is, in fact, a sophisticated system of interpretation and constant reinterpretation — not just of our personal history, but also of every moment we experience. Everything we see, believe, and often defend with conviction goes through this cognitive filter that distorts, adjusts, and even invents aspects of reality, in an attempt to provide us with a view that is coherent with what we already are.
One of the exercises I regularly encourage my clients to perform is to ask themselves: to what extent do these lenses protect us, and to what extent do they imprison us? Imagine a leader who firmly believes that absolute control is the key to success. Unconsciously, each of his interactions, decisions, and even his compliments will be shaped by this underlying belief. He observes and interprets the world around him through a self-limited vision, which inevitably shapes the perception and reactions of those around him. Thus, without realizing it, his own mental and emotional processes stop being mere receivers of reality and begin to create it.
This dynamic also unfolds in everyday situations, such as when we judge or criticize others — inevitably projecting onto their actions something that often belongs more to us than to them. Thus, we tend to label others through the lenses of our own perspective, obscuring the uniqueness and nuances that escape our immediate understanding. Not by chance, a simple question can help improve our relationships: What we perceive, in the end, reflects the other or merely reflects our own existential shadow?

Social Psychology and the Underlying Impact of Stereotypes in Organizations

As we delve deeper into the influence of our own lenses, we confront a greater question: how do these personal filters affect our interactions in organizational contexts, where the impact of each perception is amplified? Social psychology reveals that stereotypes are not merely superficial judgments but an almost imperceptible mechanism that silently shapes our relationships and decisions. Solomon Asch, a pioneer in conformity studies, demonstrated how seemingly insignificant aspects can deeply influence our perceptions of others.
Thus, when encountering someone with characteristics we associate with a “difference” — whether in thoughts, beliefs, style, values, origin, or culture — our reaction is often mediated by conditioned and automatic impressions, which we may not even recognize. In the organizational environment, these biases have an even greater weight. They create a terrain where first impressions can quickly solidify into rigid judgments, altering the flow of communication and even willingness to collaborate.
In diverse teams, this phenomenon is amplified, as stereotypes can become obstacles to authentic dialogue and the exchange of innovative ideas. Moreover, the presence of unconscious biases can influence leadership decisions, performance evaluations, and talent promotion, affecting equity and limiting the collective development potential.
With that in mind, I suggest an exercise where you ask yourself: to what extent are we aware of the labels we apply to others? Are we ready to challenge the “truths” we carry about those around us? And, more importantly, how can we cultivate a more empathetic perception, capable of seeing beyond what our initial predispositions suggest?

The Science of Neuroscience

In my book “The Map Is Not the Territory, the Territory Is You”, I explore how neuroscience sheds light on the complex brain processes that underpin the construction of our “mental maps.” These maps are not simple representations of reality; they are conscious cognitive constructions, structured from our perceptions of the world, functioning as mental shortcuts that allow us to save cognitive energy. Shaped by our past experiences, these schemas facilitate quick interpretation of the environment but, at the same time, can restrict our vision as we limit ourselves to the familiarity of previous interpretations.
However, what we often overlook is that these mental maps do not represent the world objectively, nor are they faithful mirrors of who we are. We are, in fact, what we adapt ourselves to be — meaning, our perception of reality is not fixed but is a construction that adjusts to the present and intertwines with our own past, shaped by internal territories. This view reveals us as beings in constant transformation, not as immutable versions of ourselves.
In this sense, according to neuroscience, the brain does not store memories statically, as if it were an unchanging archive. Instead, they result from fragments of feelings and emotions that are in constant reinterpretation. The brain reorganizes and interprets these memories, creating a dynamic narrative that not only shapes our understanding of the present but also projects our future expectations and actions.
In other words, the central idea is that our memories are not simply stored objectively or statically but are constructed from the feelings and emotions we attach to past experiences. These feelings not only influence the way memories are formed but also continuously reinterpret them, shaping our view of the world and affecting how we perceive the present and project the future.
These “mental maps” are, therefore, subjective interpretations created from our emotional experiences, and they do not represent the world or reality objectively. They function as cognitive shortcuts, facilitating daily navigation, but they can also limit our vision as we cling to past interpretations without considering new perspectives or possibilities. Thus, rather than being a faithful reflection of reality, we are constant reinterpretations of our own experiences and feelings, making us beings in continuous transformation.
Moreover, these cognitive shortcuts, which initially seem advantageous due to their efficiency, can paradoxically limit us. When the brain relies too heavily on old patterns and interpretations for new situations, reality ends up being filtered through lenses that no longer match the current situation. It’s as if, when trying to see the whole, we are limited to a partial and often outdated vision. This constant reinterpretation, as helpful as it may have been for our adaptation over time, can distort our decisions and interactions, creating biases that move us away from a more objective view of the world.
For example, if someone had a traumatic experience in a previous social interaction, their brain transforms it into “territory,” and unconsciously projects the same interpretation onto new situations. Even if the current context is radically different, the individual tends to react based on a “mental map” that no longer applies. The danger, then, is that this “map” becomes a guide that, instead of guiding us, traps us. As I said, the map is never the territory, and more than that, it refers to the lenses of our perception, while the territory is us, with all our load of experiences and unconscious memories.
This process, essential for our survival, also prevents us from expanding our cognitive horizons. The brain, in its relentless search for security and comfort, prefers the familiarity of the known because it reduces uncertainty and mental effort. However, by staying trapped in already known mental territories, we limit our ability to innovate and see beyond self-imposed limitations, ignoring new territories, new possibilities, and new ways of connecting with the world.

Breaking the Cycle of Self-Deception

Philosophy, in its relentless pursuit of truth, proposes that self-knowledge is the only path capable of transcending the limitations imposed by our egocentric perspective. Friedrich Nietzsche, in his sharp critique of the illusion of reason, argued that true wisdom lies in the ability to dissolve the fictions we create about ourselves and the world. According to him, this process of disillusionment is not only a liberation but a radical reconfiguration of how we are and how we understand our existence.
On the other hand, behavioral psychology, particularly in Carl Rogers’ view, complements this reasoning by stating that deep self-reflection is essential for the individuation process — a journey toward a more authentic “self,” free from the distortions and traps of self-deception. In a society obsessed with superficiality and the speed of information, the ability to look inward and confront the “truths” we’ve established is becoming increasingly rare.
Now, I invite you to a metaperceptive exercise: Which of our certainties, acquired throughout life, are merely shadows projected by the mind, masks we wear to avoid the discomfort of vulnerability? Would we be able to see the world with an untainted view, free from these cognitive constructions, or are we, in fact, irretrievably trapped in a perpetual cycle of self-deception and distortion of reality?

The Challenge of Seeing Clearly

Throughout this journey of self-knowledge, we are confronted with a fundamental question: Are we truly prepared to remove the layers that distort our perception of reality? Or will we continue to be prisoners of the mental maps we have built over the years, unable to see the world in its essence?
The invitation I make to you, reader, is not just a superficial reflection. It is a profound challenge: to what extent is the way you see yourself and the world a genuine expression of your essence, and how much of it is, in fact, a reflection of social conventions, external influences, and the psychic constructions we have accumulated over time?

Challenge yourself. Question yourself. What is truly yours, and what is imposed? And, more importantly, to what extent can clarity transform your life, your choices, and your future?

“When you change the way you see the world, the world will change the way it responds to you.” – Marcello de Souza

If this content resonated with you and sparked a flame of questioning, know that the journey is only beginning. Feel free to share your thoughts or reach out for deeper conversations on the transformational paths of behavior, consciousness, and leadership.

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Hello, I’m Marcello de Souza! My journey began in 1997 as a leader and manager at a large IT and Telecom company. Since then, I have led significant network structuring and optimization projects in Brazil. Driven by a curiosity and passion for behavioral and social psychology, I delved into the fascinating world of the human mind in 2008.
Today, I am a professional dedicated to uncovering the secrets of human behavior and driving positive change in individuals and organizations. With a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and over 27 years of experience in Cognitive Behavioral and Organizational Human Development, my career spans various areas:
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My strong academic background includes four postgraduate degrees and a Ph.D. in Social Psychology, as well as international certifications in Management, Leadership, and Cognitive Behavioral Development. I am a co-author of the book “The Secret of Coaching” and the author of “The Map Is Not the Territory, the Territory Is You” and “The Diet Society” (the first of a trilogy on contemporary human behavior – 09/2023).
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