Epistemology: Percption- 07. Indirect Realism's Problem of Skepticism Flashcards
What is the difference between primary and secondary qualities?
Primary qualities belong to the object itself and hold whether anyone is perceiving them or not. Secondary properties are relational properties that are powers to produce an idea.
What is Sense Data?
Sense data are the immediate experiences we have through our senses, which are mind-dependent.
What does indirect realism suggest about our perception of reality?
Indirect realism suggests that we perceive the world through sense data, which are influenced by mind-dependent qualities.
What is the key objection raised by Russell against direct realism?
Russell argues that if everything we experience is mind-dependent, we cannot be sure there are mind-independent objects.
What is the problem of skepticism according to Russell?
The problem of skepticism involves questioning how we can know physical objects exist if our only access to them is through sense data.
How does Russell propose to address the problem of skepticism?
Russell suggests treating the existence of physical objects as hypotheses, evaluating which hypothesis offers a better explanation for our experiences.
What is ‘The External World as the Best Hypothesis’?
It is the idea that the hypothesis of physical objects existing and causing sense data is a better explanation for our sensory experiences than the alternative.
What example does Russell use to illustrate his idea about sensory experiences?
Russell uses the example of seeing a cat first in the kitchen and later on the sofa to explain how physical objects provide a compelling explanation for sensory experiences.
True or False: According to Russell, sensory experiences can be manipulated at will.
False
Fill in the blank: The existence of physical objects offers a _______ for our sensory experiences.
compelling explanation
What reinforces the consistency of our sensory experiences according to Trotter-Cockburn’s view?
Different senses align and can help us anticipate experiences in another sense.
What does Russell’s Best Hypothesis suggest about skepticism regarding mind-independent objects?
It suggests that while we cannot prove the existence of mind-independent objects, we can treat their existence as a hypothesis that provides a better explanation for our experiences.
