Human-Centered Perception

We see what we see by virtue of what we are. This reminds us that our perceptual systems have evolved a long way, at each stage, becoming sensitive to distinctions in the flux around them that are of value to the organism. Perception and action are intimately linked from the earliest stages of life. Sensitivities evolve in keeping with the needs of the organism, as it learns to make distinctions that have survival value.

Random search fuels evolution. We are thus contingent beings, who see what is relevant for the kind of thing we are. But our "objects" have no ontological privilege, or more prosaically, they are not natural kinds. A little humility seems in order.