perception as a source of knowledge Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is direct realism?
The view that we perceive the world directly as it is; physical objects exist independently of our minds and possess properties like size and shape whether we perceive them or not.
What are the main criticisms of direct realism?
Illusions, hallucinations, perceptual variation, and time-lag arguments challenge the idea that perception is always accurate or direct.
What is perceptual variation? Give an example.
The idea that perception differs between observers (e.g., a table looks oval from one angle and round from another), suggesting we don’t perceive the world exactly as it is.
What is indirect realism (representative realism)?
The view that we perceive the world indirectly via sense-data, mental representations caused by external objects.
What are sense-data?
The immediate objects of perception, such as colors, shapes, and sounds, which are private and subjective.
What is the veil of perception?
The problem that we only perceive sense-data, not the external world directly, raising skepticism about whether the external world exists.
How does Locke defend indirect realism?
By distinguishing between primary qualities (which exist in objects) and secondary qualities (which depend on the observer’s mind).
What is idealism in the context of perception?
The view (championed by Berkeley) that reality consists only of minds and their ideas; physical objects are just collections of ideas perceived by minds.
How does Berkeley argue against the existence of mind-independent objects?
He argues that we cannot conceive of something existing unperceived, and that everything we know of objects is through perception.
How does Berkeley explain the regularity and consistency of the world?
God perceives everything constantly, ensuring the coherence of the world even when humans are not perceiving it.
What is the main criticism of idealism?
It leads to solipsism (only one’s mind exists) and is counterintuitive, as it denies a mind-independent world.
What is the time-lag argument against direct realism?
It shows we don’t perceive objects instantaneously (e.g., light from stars), so we perceive how things were, not how they are.
How do hallucinations challenge direct realism?
Hallucinations appear real but have no external object, showing that perception isn’t always a direct connection to the world.
What is the argument from illusion?
Illusions show that appearances can differ from reality (e.g., a straight stick looks bent in water), challenging the idea that we perceive objects exactly as they are.
Which theory best handles perceptual error?
Indirect realism and idealism, as they allow for a layer between perception and reality to account for mistakes.
