Single Idea 5380

[catalogued under 16. Persons / C. Self-Awareness / 3. Limits of Introspection]

Full Idea

When I am acquainted with 'my seeing the sun', it seems plain that on the one hand there is the sense-datum which represents the sun to me, on the other hand there is that which sees this sense-datum.

Gist of Idea

In perceiving the sun, I am aware of sun sense-data, and of the perceiver of the data

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch. 5)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.27


A Reaction

This appears to flatly contradict Hume's scepticism about seeing his 'self', but maybe Russell is only aware of his body, and then fictionalises a 'self' as the controller of this body. But I agree with Russell. I am the thing that cares about the sun.