Epistemology: Percption- 04. Objections to Idealism Flashcards
What does Berkeley argue about primary and secondary qualities?
Both primary and secondary qualities are dependent on perception and exist only as ideas in the mind.
How does Berkeley reject the distinction between primary and secondary qualities?
He claims that primary qualities, like size and shape, vary by perception just like secondary qualities.
What is the implication of Berkeley’s view on qualities?
All qualities are mind-dependent, with no external, independent reality.
What is one major objection to idealism?
The use of God in Idealism raises questions about its implications.
How does idealism explain illusions?
In idealism, all we perceive are ideas, and illusions correspond to real ideas within the mind.
What does Berkeley say about misperception during illusions?
We don’t misperceive; the mistake is assuming the perception would hold true outside specific conditions.
What is the correct statement regarding illusions, according to Berkeley?
The pencil looks crooked.
How does Berkeley characterize hallucinations?
Hallucinations are ‘dim, irregular, and confused’ ideas.
What distinguishes genuine perceptions from hallucinations in Berkeley’s view?
Genuine perceptions are coherent and align with the order of nature, while hallucinations lack coherence.
What challenge do hallucinations present to Berkeley’s idealism?
If hallucinations are indistinguishable from veridical perceptions, it questions the reliability of the mind.
What is solipsism?
The philosophical view that only one’s own mind truly exists.
How does solipsism differ from skepticism?
Solipsism outright denies the existence of anything other than the self, while skepticism involves doubt about specific beliefs.
What crucial challenge does solipsism pose to Berkeley’s idealism?
It suggests that if all perceptions are mind-dependent, nothing exists outside of one’s own mind.
What is one possible idealist response to solipsism?
The Master Argument rules out physical reality but does not rule out the existence of perceivers.
How might an idealist differentiate themselves from their ideas?
By recognizing their capacity for thought, indicating they are a conscious mind.
What does the consistency and regularity of experiences suggest in response to solipsism?
They suggest that another mind, likely divine, causes these perceptions.
What is the idealist view on illusion regarding different appearances?
Different appearances in different senses are all correct.
How are hallucinations distinguished from perceptions?
Hallucinations are incoherent and can be recognized as dim and irregular.
What is the idealist response to the existence of other minds?
Our perceptions originate outside of ourselves, suggesting the existence of other minds.
