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While the relationship between the sensory organs and human cognition is obvious, the organization, significance and consequences of this relationship deserve to be investigated in depth. Optical and auditory illusions and the lack of adequate words to describe tactile or somatic sensations illustrate the complexity of the relationship between sensory perception and cognition. Our discussion also raises the question of the consequences of cognition on the technological instrumentalization of the sensory organs, on which studies of sensory substitution are bringing new insights. These technological advances, previously used in the clinical field only, now being applied in cutting-edge industries and soon to be available to all, are paving the way for augmented humanity. This is now entirely feasible—but is it desirable, is it reasonable, and what forms of discrimination might it entail?