Realism is almost true: A critique of the interface theory of perception

TL;DR

This paper critically evaluates Hoffman's interface theory of perception using agent-based simulation, confirming its validity in stable environments but showing its limitations under drastic environmental changes.

Contribution

It introduces a new agent-based simulation to test Hoffman's interface theory, extending the analysis to more realistic and dynamic environmental conditions.

Findings

Interface perception is effective in stable environments.

Drastic environmental changes threaten the viability of interface perception.

Interface species may face extinction under extreme environmental shifts.

Abstract

Objective reality and its relation to our perception have been an important topic of debate in philosophy and cognitive science. Hoffman's "interface theory of perception," which asserts that our perception has no congruency with reality, is recent and controversial among existing theories. Hoffman and Prakash formulated and evaluated their theory using evolutionary game theory and genetic algorithms. This paper investigates the "interface theory of perception," introducing an agent-based simulation. Using the principles and hypothesis of Hoffman's model, first, we regenerate and approve his initial claims to consider interface as a winning perception strategy. Then we move forward to assess his model in more realistic conditions and challenge interface perception model. Our findings indicate that in case of drastic environmental changes, interface perception is no longer compatible with reality and pushes the interface species further toward extinction. Our proposed model will pave the road for future studies to investigate the perception strategies in a more realistic condition.