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Single Idea 3940

[from 'Three Dialogues of Hylas and Philonous' by George Berkeley, in 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / e. Primary/secondary critique ]

Full Idea

Distance is not properly and immediately perceived by sight.

Gist of Idea

Distance is not directly perceived by sight

Source

George Berkeley (Three Dialogues of Hylas and Philonous [1713], I p.186)

Book Reference

Berkeley,George: 'The Principles of Human Knowledge etc.', ed/tr. Warnock,G.J. [Fontana 1962], p.186


A Reaction

Interestingly, if secondary qualities are not strictly perceptions of the object, and primary qualities are not directly perceived, then we don't seem to perceive anything at all. Perhaps we should drop the concept of 'perception'?