Direct and Indirect Realism Flashcards
What do Direct Realists believe?
We perceive objects directly and they are just as we perceive them
Briefly outline The Problem of Illusion
- When viewing a stick half-submerged in water, you are directly aware of something bent
- The stick is not bent
- So you must be experiencing something non-physical
- What you are aware of here, is what you are directly aware of in normal non-illusionary perception
Therefore, in normal perception you are directly aware of non-physical things
Outline a reply to The Problem of Illusion
- When viewing a stick half-submerged in water, you are directly aware of something bent
- Nothing is actually bent
- This can be explained by the context, it is ‘relational’
Therefore, we don’t need to include sense data
Outline a reply to The Problem of Hallucination
We are able recognise hallucinations from true perceptions otherwise the distinction would not exist. Much like we cannot say “This £5 note is a forgery so all £5 notes are forgeries” as there must be one real one
Briefly outline The Problem of Perceptual Variation (Russell’s Table)
- Perceiving a table from one angle and one light may change it’s shape and colour
- The table does not physically change
- In this situation you are aware of something non-physical
- What you are aware of here, is what you are directly aware of in normal non-illusionary perception
Therefore, you are directly aware of non-physical things
What is meant by ‘Ockham’s Razor’?
We should not postulate the existence of unnecessary entities (sense data)
Define ‘sense data’ in detail
- A mental representation in our minds caused by physical objects
- Subjective/Private
- Temporary, only exists as long as you are perceiving it
- No hidden properties
Define ‘physical objects’ in detail
- Material, exists in the external world and causes our perceptions
- Public
- Realists believe these are permanent
- Includes properties we are not immediately aware of
Define ‘primary qualities’ in detail
- Independent of perceivers and intrinsic
- Easily measurable
- Often accessible to more than one sense
- Accurately resembles the object’s real qualities
Define ‘secondary qualities’ in detail
- Dependent of perceivers by definition
- Not as easily measurable
- Often accessible by just one sense
- A banana’s yellow appearance does not accurately resemble the object and is only your mental interpretation
Outline a criticism of Indirect Realism
The “Veil of Perception” and the trap of Solipsism:
- Sense data acts as a veil between us and the real world, if all we experience is sense data then how can we be sure the world exists?
- This leads to Solipsism. The idea that there is no reality beyond my mind and that all experience is just a product of my mind
Outline the reply to the ‘“Veil of Perception” and Trap of Solipsism’ criticism of Indirect Realism
“The Best Hypothesis”:
- We can’t choose our sense data. Blind people can’t see colour so sense organs DON’T create sensations and we must need some kind of stimulation
- Also, we cannot produce sensations at will, suggesting there must be an external world causing sensations
Outline and explain the problem of sense data “resembling” the real world
- Berkeley points out that circles may look oval from an angle, so both primary and secondary qualities change depending on the perceiver
- Berkeley argues that you can’t say two things resemble each other unless you can compare them. We can’t compare sense data and material objects
Outline a reply to the problem of sense data “resembling” the real world
Primary qualities are regular and predictable.
Turning a penny makes it look different but the coin does not change. Therefore there must be some real and objective properties to it
