Consensus reality

"Consensus reality" refers to a shared understanding or belief about reality that is accepted as true by a group of people. This concept intersects both psychology and philosophy, as it deals with how collective perceptions and beliefs shape our understanding of what is real. I base much of my approach on the ideas explored by Berger and Luckmann in their work, "The Social Construction of Reality."

From a psychological perspective, consensus reality is built upon the idea that our understanding of the world is not just a personal experience, but also a social one. People's perceptions and interpretations of reality are influenced by their interactions with others. For example, if a community collectively agrees on certain norms, values, or beliefs, these become part of their shared reality. This shared belief system helps individuals make sense of their world and provides a framework for communication and interaction. In psychology, this can be related to concepts like social constructivism, which suggests that much of what we perceive as reality is constructed through social interactions and cultural norms.

Consensus reality encapsulates the idea that our understanding of reality is not solely an individual endeavour but is deeply influenced and shaped by the collective beliefs and perceptions of the groups and societies to which we belong. This concept highlights the interplay between individual cognition, social interaction, and cultural context in shaping what is widely accepted as real or true.

Understanding and incorporating this into a cognitive campaign is vital, given that much of the campaign involves working within, and shaping, the reality of the audience. It also is vital in understanding other core concepts that materially impact the campaign, such as “post-truth” politics and the functioning of ideology.