Perception As A Source Of Knowledge Flashcards
What is direct realism?
The view that we are directly perceiving mind-independent properties
What are the challenges to direct realism ?
Perceptual variation
-Russell’s table example and sense data
Response= ‘relational properties’
Hallucinations
-Indistinguishable from veridical perception
Response= disjunctive theory
Illusions
-Pencil in water will appear crooked
Response= ‘relational properties’
Time lag
-It takes time for light to travel to our eyes
Response= how and what we perceive are confused here
How does Locke explain why some of our perceptions are subjective while others are objective?
John Locke separates expe rience into primar y and seconda ry qualities.
Which word desc ibes the view that our knowledge of the world comes from expe ience?
Empiricism
What does indirect realism suggest about primary qualities?
They are represented in the exte nal world because they are objective for all perceivers
what can scientific realism account for the direct realism cannot?
relational prope ties, perspective, laws of nature, illusions,
perceptual variation
what does Russell use to highlight the problem of perceptual variation?
A table
what is the challenge against indirect realism that states we cannot directly perceive or know
the mate ial world.
‘the…?
The veil of perception
what is another expression for direct realism?
Objective realism
What example does Locke use to show a separation in p rima y and seconda y qualities?
An apple
what example does Berkeley use to highlight the subjective nature of the p rima y quality
extension?
A dust mite
how does Berkeley desc ibe his argument that an unperceived object is an impossibility?
The master argument
what else does Berkeley suggest about our perceptions?
It makes no sense to say they can meaningfully represent exte nal objects
what is the meaning of Berkeley’s ‘esse est precipi’?
To be is to be perceived
What is the biggest problem with Berkeley’s concept of God?
God’s nature must always change as our perceptions change and reflect the mind of God.
