PERCEPTION- Idealism: Attack On PQ/SQ

Question 1

What did Locke argue

Answer 1

That no matter how often we divide a material object we cannot conceive of it without primary qualities therefore primary qualities are essential to an object

Question 2

What was Berkeleys response to Locke

Answer 2

We are equally incapable of conceiving of an object without secondary qualities and therefore these too must be essential to our idea of it

Question 3

What example did Berkeley use to prove that secondary qualities were also in and of an object

Answer 3

Imagine an object with only primary qualities
However if we do this we have to imagine it with colour
Therefore we cannot distinguish between PQ and SQ and that they are both mind-dependent

Question 4

How can Berkeleys attack on PQ/SQ be summaried

Answer 4

P1) it’s impossible to imagine an object with only its primary qualities
C1) so our ideas of the the SQ of an object cannot be separated from those of its primary qualities
C2) therefore they must exist together
P2) indirect realists accept that our ideas of SQ are mind-dependent
C3) therefore our ideas of PQ must also be mind- dependent

Question 5

How can an indirect realist make Berkeleys claim look flawed

Answer 5

If we are careful to distinguish the ideas or sense data and the qualities of the objects that cause them as Locke isn’t saying that SQ are mind dependent but that SQ are the powers in objects to cause sensations in us and they are mind-independent

Question 6

What does the fact that PQ/SQ seem inseparable when perceived not mean

Answer 6

That both sets of qualities exist inside the mind
Rather that the sense data of PQ and SQ exist in the mind but the qualities themselves exist mind- independently.