Lecture 2 Flashcards
What does ‘p’ represent in Fechner’s law?
Subjective percept
What does ‘S’ represent in Fechner’s law?
Physical intensity of the stimulus
What is ‘S0’ in the context of Fechner’s law?
Smallest intensity of the stimulus that can be perceived, or absolute threshold
What does ‘k’ signify in Fechner’s law?
Modality-specific factor controlling the steepness of the function depending on sensory modality
Who proposed the Theory of Forms?
Plato (~428-348 B.C.)
What did Plato believe about our senses?
They only give us mere shadows of reality and should never be trusted
What is the Allegory of the Cave?
A philosophical metaphor by Plato illustrating the difference between perception and reality
According to Plato, what is more important than physical objects?
The Idea of a perfect form
What is Aristotle’s view on Form and Matter?
Form and Matter together; form is the organization of matter
What is Rationalism?
The belief that knowledge is primarily gained through reason and logical thought, independent of sensory experience
What is Empiricism?
The belief that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience and observation of the world
What does ‘I think therefore I am’ signify?
A statement by René Descartes illustrating the foundation of knowledge through self-awareness
What is the main idea of John Locke’s theory of ideas?
Information from our senses enters our minds as simple ideas, which can be combined into complex ideas
What does ‘tabula rasa’ mean in Locke’s theory?
The mind is a blank slate onto which experience leaves its mark
What is the concept of Just Noticeable Difference (JND)?
The smallest weight difference that someone can perceive
What are Weber fractions?
The JND between the standard and comparison weights, typically close to 1/40 of the standard weight
What is discriminability in the context of sensory perception?
How easy it is to notice a small difference in terms of physical intensity
What is the relationship between Weber fraction and discriminability?
High Weber fraction means low discriminability
What is panpsychism?
The idea that everything material also has a mental aspect
How does panpsychism differ from dualism?
Panpsychism proposes that reality is one piece with both material and mental aspects, while dualism suggests mind and matter can exist independently
What is the significance of the concept of ‘Noumenon’ according to Kant?
The thing-in-itself, which we can never fully know
What is ‘Phenomenon’ in Kant’s philosophy?
The impression that the noumenon exerts on our senses
What does Kant argue is necessary for understanding sensations?
Innate knowledge (a priori structures) such as space, time, cause, and effect
What is the main claim of Gustav Theodor Fechner regarding JND?
Each JND is perceptually equivalent
