Final answer:
Humans perceive the world according to Maimonides primarily through reason, which interprets sensory data to form knowledge. Whereas sensory experiences provide initial information, it's reasoning that shapes our understanding of the world. Maimonides places less emphasis on intuition unless it's grounded in rational insight.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Maimonides, humans see the world primarily through reason. This perspective aligns with the philosophical tradition that emphasizes the role of reasoning in understanding and interpreting our experiences and the world around us. While senses provide the initial data, it is the reasoning process that constructs meaning and knowledge from this sensory information. Maimonides' viewpoint also resonates with philosophers like Plato, who believed that genuine understanding comes from moving beyond sensory distractions towards the truth through reasoning.
Our senses do not present a full picture of reality but rather a sketch highlighting what is necessary for navigation and survival. The brain adjusts these perceptions to create a meaningful understanding of our environment. Cognitive processes like reasoning categorize and interpret these sensory data. According to this view, our sense perceptions, informed by our reasoning, lead to knowledge of the external world.
When it comes to intuition, it is important to distinguish between firm intuitive knowledge, such as mathematical truths, and less certain intuitions, which could merely reflect individual beliefs or perspectives. Maimonides would likely favor the form of intuition that is rooted in clear and distinct reasoning over the uncertain 'gut feelings' or 'hunches' that can often lead to misconceptions.