Single Idea 20365

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / a. Explaining movement]

Full Idea

We perceive motion only as isolated points, and then infer it without actually seeing it.

Gist of Idea

We only see points in motion, and thereby infer movement

Source

Nicholas Rescher (Scepticism [1980], §112)

Book Reference


A Reaction

Note how writing suddenly becomes readable as you slow down on entering a railway station. Is that points suddenly becoming unified? This is an empiricist endorsement of Russell's 'at-at' account of motion.

Related Idea

Idea 4786 Russell's 'at-at' theory says motion is to be at the intervening points at the intervening instants [Russell, by Psillos]