THE IMPORTANCE OF REALITY IN PERCEIVING THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE

Abstract. This article examines the influence of the concept of the "spirit of the age" on the process of perception as the central problem, comparatively analyzing various methodological approaches: empirical-neuro-cognitive, phenomenological, symbolic, dialectical-historical, reflective-empirical, naturalistic, and neuro-phenomenological views. The theories of scholars such as Farabi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Beruni, Hegel, Merleau-Ponty, Cassirer, and Jaspers are comparatively illuminated. The results substantiate that perception is not mere sensation, but a complex phenomenon shaped through conscious construction, cultural symbols, and historical context.

Keywords: phenomenon, symbolic approach, empiricism, naive realism, dialectical-historical, neuro-phenomenology, cognitive psychology, philosophical research.