No, people cannot see in the way sighted individuals do without eyes. However, the experience of "seeing" is complex and can be interpreted in different ways.
Different Interpretations of "Seeing"
The question's ambiguity allows for several interpretations:
1. Visual Perception:
- The biological answer is a definitive no. Eyes are the primary organs of sight, converting light into neural signals the brain interprets as images. Without eyes, this process cannot occur. A person born without eyes or who loses their sight will not experience visual perception. As stated in a Quora answer: "Same condition as like. Current is gon no light is Present. We are in complete darkness. No objects Unable to see.just imagining ground." This directly addresses the lack of visual perception without eyes.
2. Sensory Compensation and Perception:
- Yes, individuals lacking eyesight can develop heightened other senses. Some people compensate for lack of sight by using other senses to build a mental "picture" of their surroundings. As noted in a source from June 28, 2023, for some, "information extraction from sound reaches extraordinary levels, providing the brain with information in much the same way that light and vision do." This means they can create an internal representation of their environment, although it differs substantially from visual perception. This is exemplified by the eyeless man mentioned in the Washington Post article who uses echolocation to navigate.
3. Metaphysical Interpretations:
- Some spiritual or philosophical beliefs propose a broader definition of "seeing." One Reddit comment states that "Everyone sees without eyes, even if they think they are seeing through them. What is thought to be normal sight through the eyes actually occurs in the mind." This is a subjective interpretation and is not scientifically supported. It reflects a belief in a non-physical form of perception.
Conclusion
While the biological sense of sight requires eyes, the broader concept of "seeing" can encompass other sensory inputs and interpretations. Individuals without eyes do not experience visual perception, but they may develop extraordinary abilities to interpret their environment using other senses.
