Phenomenology

I recently ran across the concept of Phenomenology. The dictionary defines it as:

quote:

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phe·nom·e·nol·o·gy\ ( P ) Pronunciation Key (f-nm-nl-j)
n.
1. A philosophy or method of inquiry based on the premise that reality consists of objects and events as they are perceived or understood in human consciousness and not of anything independent of human consciousness.

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Now, I don't wanna get into a discussion about some new-age crap dealing with the Matrix and Brains in Jars. I'm seriously curious as to how far us human beings are trapped by our perceptions.I suppose this question is more for the scientific folks who frequent here at the EVC. I would like to explore with them, the limits of empiricism, and how our perceptual capabilities may limit what we can know/understand.i.e. : Are there some things we will never be able to understand due to the limits of our perceptions? If our 5 senses are all the input we get, does that mean there is some sort of data we may be being excluded from?EDIT: fixed spelling and such.This message has been edited by Yaro, 09-21-2005 04:22 PM

Thread copied to the Phenomenology thread in the Is It Science? forum, this copy of the thread has been closed.