INDIRECT REALISM

Created by: mlrabbitts
Created on: 03-03-20 10:14

Define indirect realism.

The external world exists independently of the mind, but we perceive the external world indirectly, via sense data.

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Sense data can be described as...

The content of perceptual experience. It is not a physical thing and it exists in the mind but it is said to have been caused by mind-independent objects.

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What are the primary qualities?

Shape, size, number, motion and solidity.

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What are the secondary qualities?

Colour, smell, temperature, taste and sounds.

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What does Berkeley specifically disagree with in relation to the primary and secondary qualities?

He says that primary qualities should not be considered mind independent.

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What poses a problem to indirect realism and why?

Skepticism, because if we only perceive sense data and not the world itself, then how do we know that we know anything about the external world itself. We cannot see past the veil of perception.

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What is Locke's first response?

You are unable to produce sense data in your mind, so whatever causes these perceptions must be mind-independent/external.

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What is Locke's second response?

Different senses confirm information to one another. For example, you may hear somebody read something at the same time that you see and read it yourself. Yet, this information can still be inaccurate about the external world.

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Sense data can be described as...

Back

The content of perceptual experience. It is not a physical thing and it exists in the mind but it is said to have been caused by mind-independent objects.

Card 3

Front

What are the primary qualities?

Back

Card 4

Front

What are the secondary qualities?

Back

Card 5

Front

What does Berkeley specifically disagree with in relation to the primary and secondary qualities?

Back

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INDIRECT REALISM