Single Idea 15817

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 8. Adverbial Theory]

Full Idea

If we say a man 'senses redly', may we also say that he 'senses rhomboidally' or 'senses rectangularly'? There is no reason why not.

Gist of Idea

If we can say a man senses 'redly', why not also 'rectangularly'?

Source

Roderick Chisholm (Person and Object [1976], 1.8)

Book Reference

Chisholm,Roderick: 'Person and Object' [Open Court 1976], p.50


A Reaction

This is Chisholm replying to one of the best known objections to the adverbial theory. Can we sense 'wobblyrhomboidallywithpinkdots-ly'? Can we perceive 'landscapely'? The problem is bigger than he thinks.

Related Idea

Idea 6506 'Sense redly' sounds peculiar, but 'senses redly-squarely tablely' sounds far worse [Robinson,H]