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Single Idea 3620
[filed under theme 13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 3. Illusion Scepticism
]
Full Idea
Owing to refraction a stick which is in fact straight appears bent in water. What corrects the error? The intellect? Not at all; it is the sense of touch.
Gist of Idea
We correct sense errors with other senses, not intellect
Source
comment on René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §1.18) by Marin Mersenne - Objections to 'Meditations' (Sixth) 418
Book Ref
Descartes,René: 'Meditations on First Philosophy etc.', ed/tr. Cottingham,John [CUP 1986], p.64
The
18 ideas
with the same theme
[our confidence in perception is undermined by illusions]:
6010
|
Illusions are not false perceptions, as we accurately perceive the pattern of atoms
[Epicurus, by Modrak]
|
2668
|
Epicurus says if one of a man's senses ever lies, none of his senses should ever be believed
[Epicurus, by Cicero]
|
2667
|
A false object might give the same presentation as a true one
[Arcesilaus, by Cicero]
|
5727
|
Most supposed delusions of the senses are really misinterpretations by the mind
[Lucretius]
|
20800
|
Every true presentation can have a false one of the same quality
[Cicero]
|
1881
|
The same oar seems bent in water and straight when out of it
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1882
|
The necks of doves appear different in colour depending on the angle of viewing
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1872
|
The same tower appears round from a distance, but square close at hand
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
1873
|
If we press the side of an eyeball, objects appear a different shape
[Sext.Empiricus]
|
3621
|
Only judgement decides which of our senses are reliable
[Descartes]
|
3620
|
We correct sense errors with other senses, not intellect
[Mersenne on Descartes]
|
2249
|
It is prudent never to trust your senses if they have deceived you even once
[Descartes]
|
3619
|
The senses can only report, so perception errors are in the judgment
[Gassendi on Descartes]
|
2296
|
If pain is felt in a lost limb, I cannot be certain that a felt pain exists in my real limbs
[Descartes]
|
3944
|
It is possible that we could perceive everything as we do now, but nothing actually existed.
[Berkeley]
|
2236
|
Examples of illusion only show that sense experience needs correction by reason
[Hume]
|
6642
|
Psychologists say illusions only occur in unnatural and passive situations
[Lowe]
|
9121
|
Illusions are not a reason for skepticism, but a source of interesting scientific information
[Sorensen]
|