Single Idea 4049

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 5. Interpretation]

Full Idea

A unique yellow experience may be evoked with monochrome light of 580nm, or a mixture of 540nm and 670nm. ..Our interpretation of colour experience is a highly idiosyncratic artefact of our visual system.

Clarification

'nm' are nanometres. 'Idiosyncratic' means unique and unpredictable.

Gist of Idea

The way in which colour experiences are evoked is physically odd and unpredictable

Source

Alvin I. Goldman (Phil Applications of Cognitive Science [1993], p.117)

Book Reference

Goldman,Alvin I.: 'Philosophical Applications of Cognitive Science' [Westview 1993], p.117


A Reaction

This confirms what I have always thought - that colour (as qualia) is strictly a feature of minds, not of the world.