I have another theory...?

Question

What if colours weren't really, REAL? Like... We all know the colour blue right? We all see blue as blue, we name this colour blue there for we know its blue automaticaly. But what if everyone see's blue as a different colour and just not know it? same with other colours too... It sounds wierd but i could be true =P

Whatcha thinks?

Answer 1

First of all, this is not a theory, it's a conjecture or guess.  Please reserve the word "theory" for science's highest honor, that of an idea that is supported by tons of facts and evidence, and has been tested again and again, and survived all critical examination.

As for your conjecture, yes, color is somewhat subjective, as you say, particularly for the color blind.  However, there is the science of spectroscopy, whereby the exact wavelengths of light that are reflected from a material can be accurately quantified.  So the wavelength range that we call "blue" or "green" is absolute, even though the names we apply to these colors may be arbitrary.  I think most human eyes (except for the color blind) are naturally calibrated to detect and interpret color very consistently.

Therefore I would argue that colors ARE real - as real as electromagnetic radiation.

Answer 2

It is true...  I probably don't see the same red as you - although the object obviously only has one color...  You learn colors in school (and from parents, etc) and what YOU see you learn to call 'green' even if it isn't the same shade that someone else sees -its still called green...

colorblindness sort of proves this - I am colorblind to reds - been tested and found out - but I still see a 'red' light and call it 'red' even though I can't distinguish red from some greys...  I apparently see it as a grey, but I still know that what I see is called 'red'...   long winded answer... sorry... but I am amazed at the concept...   Now I wonder if people taste 'strawberry' differently!!!!   :)  Maybe that is why people have different favorite flavors!!!!