Single Idea 7631

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 1. Perception]

Full Idea

Sensation, by itself, implies neither the conception nor belief of any external object. ...Perception implies a conviction and belief of something external. ...Things so different in their nature ought to be distinguished.

Gist of Idea

Sensation is not committed to any external object, but perception is

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 2: Senses [1785], II.16), quoted by Barry Maund - Perception

Book Reference

Maund,Barry: 'Perception' [Acumen 2003], p.59


A Reaction

Maund sees this as the origin of the two-stage view of perception, followed by Chisholm, Evans, Dretske and Lowe. It implies that 'looks', 'tastes', 'sounds' etc. are ambiguous words, having either phenomenal or realist meanings. I like it.