Imagine you’re in a room filled with windows, each offering a view of the landscape outside. One person looks through a window and says, "The landscape is exactly what it appears to be—mountains, trees, rivers, just as I see them." 
They believe that anyone who looks through the same window will see the same view. With careful observation and clear reasoning, they are confident that they can fully discern and understand the landscape.
Another person, however, sees things differently. They argue that the window itself is shaping what they see. The glass is tinted, the frame affects the view, and their position in the room changes the perspective.
To them, the landscape might exist, but how they perceive it is influenced by factors they didn’t choose. The window’s design, their angle, and even the social context they bring to the room all shape their version of the view.
The first person, convinced the landscape can be known objectively, cleans the window, adjusts their position, and asks others to compare notes. They believe that, through reason and questioning, they can remove distortions and find truth.
The second person won't stop digging - won't stop kicking the ball further. Even if the window is cleaned and people collaborate, they argue, each individual brings their own history, culture, and experiences, which shape how they interpret the view.
They believe that everyone’s perception is filtered not just by the window but by their upbringing, values, and biases—often without realizing it. These filters remain intact, even if the window is cleaned.
For the second person, there is no single objective view that everyone can share. Perception is always influenced by layers of social, cultural, and historical context, making each person's view unique.
The first person responds: "Yes, we all have our own perspectives, but that doesn’t mean we’re stuck with them. By comparing views, questioning assumptions, and using tools like science and reason, we can access a clear picture of reality."
They argue that while culture and history shape our views, we’ve discovered tools that help us go beyond and box out individual biases. Through clarity and precision, we can build a more reliable picture of reality.
"The fact that we see things differently doesn’t mean there’s no reality or that we can’t understand it," they conclude. "It just means we have to work harder, clean our windows, and be honest about the process of finding truth."
The Critical Constructivist will always kick the ball further, using sophistry and manipulation to "build" the world they demand. The Common-Sense Realist says "We're just looking out the window, dude. Shut up."
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