Qualia refer to the subjective, individual experiences of sensory perception, such as the experience of seeing the color red or feeling the sensation of pain. These experiences are unique to each individual and cannot be directly communicated or experienced by anyone else. They are sometimes described as the “raw feels” or “what it is like” to have a particular experience.

From the perspective of experiential knowledge, qualia represent an essential aspect of our understanding and interpretation of the world around us. While we may share a common language and understanding of the physical properties of objects and phenomena, our individual experiences of these things can vary greatly. For example, two people may look at the same painting and agree on its color, composition, and subject matter, but their individual experiences of the painting will be shaped by their unique perceptions, memories, and emotional responses.

The study of qualia is often associated with the field of philosophy of mind and has important implications for our understanding of consciousness, perception, and the nature of subjective experience.