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Single Idea 2249
[filed under theme 13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 3. Illusion Scepticism
]
Full Idea
The senses are sometimes deceptive, and it is a mark of prudence never to place our complete trust in those who have deceived us even once.
Gist of Idea
It is prudent never to trust your senses if they have deceived you even once
Source
René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §1.18)
Book Ref
Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.96
The
18 ideas
with the same theme
[our confidence in perception is undermined by illusions]:
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6010
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Illusions are not false perceptions, as we accurately perceive the pattern of atoms
[Epicurus, by Modrak]
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2668
|
Epicurus says if one of a man's senses ever lies, none of his senses should ever be believed
[Epicurus, by Cicero]
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2667
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A false object might give the same presentation as a true one
[Arcesilaus, by Cicero]
|
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5727
|
Most supposed delusions of the senses are really misinterpretations by the mind
[Lucretius]
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20800
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Every true presentation can have a false one of the same quality
[Cicero]
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1881
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The same oar seems bent in water and straight when out of it
[Sext.Empiricus]
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1882
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The necks of doves appear different in colour depending on the angle of viewing
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
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1872
|
The same tower appears round from a distance, but square close at hand
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
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1873
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If we press the side of an eyeball, objects appear a different shape
[Sext.Empiricus]
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3621
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Only judgement decides which of our senses are reliable
[Descartes]
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2249
|
It is prudent never to trust your senses if they have deceived you even once
[Descartes]
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3620
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We correct sense errors with other senses, not intellect
[Mersenne on Descartes]
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3619
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The senses can only report, so perception errors are in the judgment
[Gassendi on Descartes]
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2296
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If pain is felt in a lost limb, I cannot be certain that a felt pain exists in my real limbs
[Descartes]
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3944
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It is possible that we could perceive everything as we do now, but nothing actually existed.
[Berkeley]
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2236
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Examples of illusion only show that sense experience needs correction by reason
[Hume]
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6642
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Psychologists say illusions only occur in unnatural and passive situations
[Lowe]
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9121
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Illusions are not a reason for skepticism, but a source of interesting scientific information
[Sorensen]
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