more from Roy Sorensen

Single Idea 9124

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 5. Interpretation]

Full Idea

The human perceptual system appears unable to represent a nose as concave rather than convex. If you look at the concave side of a mask, you see the features as convex.

Gist of Idea

We are unable to perceive a nose (on the back of a mask) as concave

Source

Roy Sorensen (Vagueness and Contradiction [2001], 4.3)

Book Reference

Sorensen,Roy: 'Vagueness and Contradiction' [OUP 2004], p.74


A Reaction

I don't think that is quite true. You wouldn't put a mask on if you thought it was convex. It is usually when seen at a distance with strong cross-lighting that the effect emerges. Nevertheless, it is an important point.