more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 6463

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 4. Sense Data / b. Nature of sense-data]

Full Idea

Logically a sense-datum is an object, a particular of which the subject is aware; it does not contain the subject as a part, as for example beliefs and volitions do.

Clarification

'Volitions' are acts of will

Gist of Idea

Sense-data are objects, and do not contain the subject as part, the way beliefs do

Source

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

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Mysticism and Logic' [Unwin 1989], p.146


A Reaction

This very firmly rejects any notion that a sense-datum is mental. It is a left as a strange sort of object which gets as close as it is possible to get to the 'borders' of the mind, without actually becoming part of it.