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Single Idea 6469

[filed under theme 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 4. Sense Data / d. Sense-data problems ]

Full Idea

One reason often alleged for the subjectivity of sense-data is that the appearance of a thing itself may change when we find it hard to suppose that the thing itself has changed - as when we shut our eyes, or screw them up to make things look double.

Gist of Idea

Sense-data may be subjective, if closing our eyes can change them

Source

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

Book Ref

Russell,Bertrand: 'Mysticism and Logic' [Unwin 1989], p.157

A Reaction

Russell firmly denies that they are subjective. These examples are also said to support to proposed existence of sense-data in the first place, since they show the gap between appearance and reality.

The 18 ideas from 'The Relation of Sense-Data to Physics'

6483 Russell held that we are aware of states of our own brain [Russell, by Robinson,H]
8244 Sense-data are qualities devoid of subjectivity, which are the basis of science [Russell, by Deleuze/Guattari]
6459 We do not know whether sense-data exist as objects when they are not data [Russell]
6458 Individuating sense-data is difficult, because they divide when closely attended to [Russell]
6460 'Sensibilia' are identical to sense-data, without actually being data for any mind [Russell]
6461 Ungiven sense-data can no more exist than unmarried husbands [Russell]
6462 Sense-data are not mental, but are part of the subject-matter of physics [Russell]
6463 Sense-data are objects, and do not contain the subject as part, the way beliefs do [Russell]
6464 Sense-data are usually objects within the body, but are not part of the subject [Russell]
6470 Matter is the limit of appearances as distance from the object diminishes [Russell]
6465 We need not deny substance, but there seems no reason to assert it [Russell]
6466 Where possible, logical constructions are to be substituted for inferred entities [Russell]
6467 No sensibile is ever a datum to two people at once [Russell]
6468 There is 'private space', and there is also the 'space of perspectives' [Russell]
6469 Sense-data may be subjective, if closing our eyes can change them [Russell]
6471 The assumption by physicists of permanent substance is not metaphysically legitimate [Russell]
6472 Continuity is a sufficient criterion for the identity of a rock, but not for part of a smooth fluid [Russell]
6473 Physical things are series of appearances whose matter obeys physical laws [Russell]