back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 6355

[from 'Contemporary theories of Knowledge (2nd)' by J Pollock / J Cruz, in 11. Knowledge Aims / C. Knowing Reality / 1. Perceptual Realism / b. Direct realism ]

Full Idea

We defend a version of direct realism, saying that justification must be partly a function of perceptual states themselves, and not just a function of our beliefs about perceptual states.

Gist of Idea

Direct realism says justification is partly a function of pure perceptual states, not of beliefs

Source

J Pollock / J Cruz (Contemporary theories of Knowledge (2nd) [1999], §1.5.3)

Book Reference

Pollock,J.L./Cruz,J: 'Contemporary Theories of Knowledge (2nd)' [Rowman and Littlefield 1999], p.25


A Reaction

Judgement suggests that perceptual states give good justification about primary qualities (like mass or shape), but not of secondary qualities (like smell or colour). Perceptions can be downright misleading.