Our senses permit us to perceive and function in the world in which we live. There are five primary senses that are traditionally recognized by western science: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. In some Asian cultures, a sixth sense, that of the mind and the mind objects it perceives is also recognized. Other sensory modalities are known to exist—including temperature, kinesthesia, pain, balance, and vibration—but are not widely recognized. Most animals have sensory systems analogous to those of humans and some have others as well, including the ability to sense electric fields, magnetic fields, and environmental moisture. The mind serves to determine the utility of sense perceptions, so intelligence plays a significant role in modulating the senses.
