Perception is…Awareness of things (aka reality) through our 5 sensesSightSmellTouchHearingTaste

Perception…Plays a key role in almost all subject

areasIf you had to choose one, in which

subject area is perception most valuable? Least valuable?

Is the centerpiece of EmpiricismSchool of philosophy that holds that all

knowledge is ultimately based on perceptual experience

In your opinion, is this too extreme, or spot on?

Perception consists of…

Sensation, which is provided by the world

Interpretation, which is provided by our minds.

Perceptual IllusionsWe can become aware of our

interpretations of the world by examining visual illusions

Types of visual illusion include:Context: we examine the overall context of an

image to make a judgment about the size of an object

Figure and Ground: We tend to zero in on certain aspects (figure) and make other parts the background

Visual Grouping: We look for meaning in something and fill in the gaps (e.g. “dog” in the book)

Expectations: Our expectations will influence how we see things. (e.g. Paris in the the spring)

Perceptual Illusions

Selective PerceptionWe don’t process all the data that

we’re presented withWe only notice some things and

overlook othersTypically, there are two kind of

stimuli we notice:Intensity (a loud bang or sneeze)Contrast (e.g. blood on a white

carpet)Mood and interest influences our

perception as well; e.g. 3 friends hiking

Relationship between Belief and SightOur belief influences/taints/informs

our sightIf we’re consciously looking for

something, then we may see it even if it’s not really thereVulcanVirgin Mary in a church window; a

face on Mars

Eye-witness testimonyShown to be incredibly unreliableThe eye is not a camera and visual

memories are not photographsEven possible to say that every time

we remember something we reconstruct it

For HW, please read 105 to 107 and take double column notes (5 entries)

Perception…

…can be an important source of knowledge. BUT, why do we need to treat it with caution?

Confirmation by another sense

One sense alone will not always provide us with an accurate idea of reality

Why privilege touch over the other senses?

Coherence

Also featured in determining whether a knowledge claim is reasonable or not

In the context of sensory perception, if something doesn’t fit in, then most likely you are mistaken

Independent Testimony

Credibility of evidence increases with each additional witness

Such testimony pushes credibility of evidence into the realm of “beyond a reasonable doubt”

Ultimate reality

Can we ever have knowledge of ultimate reality?

If so, how? If not, why not?

Experiencing reality

Pain, taste and color are simply the subjective experience that results from the interaction of you and your environment

e.g. Grass is not green, it’s just that you see green grass

Is reality colorless as the book says?

Experiencing reality

If a tree falls…Is sound physical? Or experienced? What difference does it make?

Can we say that colors, sounds, and tastes exist out there independent of our experience of them?

Experiencing reality

If a tree falls…Is sound physical? Or experienced? What difference does it make?

Can we say that colors, sounds, and tastes exist out there independent of our experience of them?

Experiencing reality

Does it matter whether things behave as expected when we’re not around?

Does it really only matter if we’re there?

E.g. tables in the classroom

3 Theories about Reality

Common-sense realismThe way we perceive the world mirrors it as it is

What is a criticism of common-sense realism?

3 Theories about Reality

Scientific RealismThe world exists as an independent reality and is very different from how we perceive it

Physical table vs. scientific tableUltra-zoom view

3 Theories about RealityPhenomenalism

Matter is “the permanent possibility of sensation” and it makes not sense to say the world exists independent of our experience of it

Beyond our experience of reality, there is nothing to be said, despite the probable fact that the world may exist outside of our experience with it