Single Idea 6461

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 4. Sense Data / c. Unperceived sense-data]

Full Idea

We cannot ask, 'Can sense-data exist without being given?' for that is like asking, 'Can husbands exist without being married?'

Clarification

'Given' means presented for experience

Gist of Idea

Ungiven sense-data can no more exist than unmarried husbands

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Relation of Sense-Data to Physics [1914], §III)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Mysticism and Logic' [Unwin 1989], p.143


A Reaction

This follows hard on Idea 6460, which introduces the idea of 'sensibilia' for things which are like sense-data, but are not 'given'. This is a new distinction in 1914, which he had not made in 1912.

Related Idea

Idea 6460 'Sensibilia' are identical to sense-data, without actually being data for any mind [Russell]