Indirect Realism Flashcards
What is Indirect Realism?
Indirect realism argues that we perceive the external worldworld indirectly, through sense-data. And that the external world is mind independant.
What is sense-data?
Sense-data is private meaning that it is subjective. It is temporary, meaning that on perceiver = no sense-data. It is immaterial,eaning that it is not physical. And it is exactly as it seems, meaning that you cannot mistake having it.
How does Indirect realism combat illusion/hallucinations/perceptual variation/time-lag?
Illusions are part of sense-data. Hallucinations are sense-data that doesnt correspond to the world. Perceptual variation: sense-data isnt the same as the object, so perceptual variation doesnt mean that the object changes if the sense-data does. Time-lag is not an issue.
Ideas vs. Qualities?
Ideas are whatever our mind perceives. Quality is a power in an object that produces ideas in us (snow/white).
What is Locke’s primary/secondary distinction?
Primary qualities are mind independant, obiective, known indirectly, can be doubted and doesnt leave room for perceptual error. Secondary qualities are the opposite
Issues including:
Leads to scepticism about the external world.
If we are only aware of sene-data, then we can only have evidence of sense-data existing, not the external world. Even.if we accept that it is real, we cannot know if it differs from sense-data. (Veil of perception).
Reponse:
The involuntary nature of our experiences
The perceptions we cant control must come from outside of us, otherwise we would be able to control them. And since we cant, our sense data must come from mind-independant objects.
Response:
Coherence of experiences
The way sense cohere together suggests the external world exists. Cockburn adds that we can learn what sense go together, then reliably predict so.
Response:
Berkleys arguemnt that the external world is the best hypothesis
Per the cat example, it is reasonable to assume things have a life outside our perception and that humans act for similar reasons we do. A direct realist/idealist could say their idea arre simpler, but Russels explination matches our common sense intuitions.
Issue:
Argument that we cannot know the nature of the external world
If objects cant change but seem to change, then there is a difference between the object and the representation. How can semse-data be an accurate representation if its always changing. Saying an immaterial thing can esemble a material thing is like saying an invisible thing resembles a visible thing. Ideas can only resemble ideas.
