Representationalism

Representationalism is a theory in the philosophy of perception that suggests our experiences of the world are mediated by mental representations. When we perceive objects or events, our mind does not directly experience the external world; instead, it creates internal images or representations based on sensory input. For instance, when you see a tree, you don't experience the tree directly, but rather an internal representation of it created by your senses. This view emphasizes that our understanding of reality is shaped by these representations, which can be influenced by various factors, including prior knowledge and context.