Epistemology: Percption- 02. Direct Realism & Time Lag Flashcards
(18 cards)
How do Realists differ from Idealists?
Realists claim that physical objects exist independent of our minds, while Idealists argue that physical objects are not independent of our minds.
What is another term sometimes used for Direct Realism?
Naïve realism
What does Direct Realism claim about perception?
When we perceive an object, we are directly aware of the object itself rather than a mental image or representation of it.
What is meant by ‘immediate’ or ‘unmediated’ access in Direct Realism?
Perception does not involve processing that creates a gap between the object and our experience of it.
What does Direct Realism assume about different observers?
Different observers will perceive the same object similarly if there are no physical or sensory limitations.
Define Mind-Dependent properties.
Properties that only exist while there is a mind to perceive them.
Define Mind-Independent properties.
Properties that exist whether or not there is a mind to perceive them.
According to Direct Realism, what kind of properties do objects possess?
Mind-independent properties
What is the Time-Lag Argument against Direct Realism?
It argues that it takes time for sensory information to reach us, meaning we do not perceive physical objects directly.
What example illustrates the Time-Lag Argument?
We can perceive distant stars even after they cease to exist.
What confusion does the Direct Realist claim arises in the Time-Lag Argument?
A confusion between what we perceive and how we perceive.
According to Direct Realists, should we say we perceive physical objects indirectly?
No, they argue that light and other mediums are just methods, not what is being perceived.
What is the response to the Time-Lag Argument regarding light?
We don’t perceive light waves directly and physical objects indirectly; we perceive the direct properties of objects.
Fill in the blank: Direct Realism argues that perception gives us immediate access to the _______.
[external world]
True or False: Direct Realism states that our perceptions are mediated by mental constructs.
False
What do Direct Realists believe about the color of a tree?
The tree is truly green regardless of whether anyone is there to perceive it.
What is a key critique of the Time-Lag Argument according to Direct Realists?
It shows that we literally perceive the past, but what we perceive are the direct properties of the object.
Define Direct Realism.
the immediate objects of perception are mind-independent objects and
their properties: ie we perceive mind-independent objects directly without any mediation (by sense-
data).
