But human beings do not perceive things whole; we are not gods but wounded creatures, cracked lenses, capable only of fractured perceptions. Partial beings, in all the senses of that phrase. Meaning is a shaky edifice we build out of scraps, dogmas, childhood injuries, newspaper articles, chance remarks, old films, small victories, people hated, people loved; perhaps it is because our sense of what is the case is constructed from such inadequate materials that we defend it so fiercely, even to the death.
Human beings have a limited capacity to perceive the world as it truly is, often viewing reality through distorted and broken lenses. Unlike divine entities, we are flawed beings who can only grasp partial truths, which shapes our understanding of existence. Our perceptions are influenced by a myriad of factors, including past experiences, cultural narratives, and fleeting moments, highlighting the complexity of human interpretation.
Given that our comprehension of reality is built from fractured and inadequately sourced materials, we tend to cling fiercely to our beliefs and understandings. This defensiveness stems from the vulnerability of our perceptions, as they are constructed from a patchwork of experiences and influences that may not reflect the complete picture. Our attachment to these beliefs can lead us to protect them passionately, sometimes even at a great cost.