more from this thinker     |     more from this text

Single Idea 6010

[filed under theme 13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 3. Illusion Scepticism ]

Full Idea

Epicurus says illusions are not false perceptions, because the senses accurately report the pattern of atoms; for instance, the edges are worn off the pattern produced by a square tower, so its perception as a round tower is true.

Gist of Idea

Illusions are not false perceptions, as we accurately perceive the pattern of atoms

Source

report of Epicurus (Letter to Herodotus [c.293 BCE], 47-53) by Deborah K.W. Modrak - Classical theories of Mind

Book Ref

'Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy', ed/tr. Zeyl,Donald J. [Fitzroy Dearborn 1997], p.347

A Reaction

As so often, Epicurus got it right, because Democritus got it right, thus demonstrating that good philosophy must be preceded by good physics. However, good physics must be preceded and followed by good philosophy.

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]
2249 It is prudent never to trust your senses if they have deceived you even once [Descartes]
3620 We correct sense errors with other senses, not intellect [Mersenne on 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]