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Single Idea 6497

[from 'Perception' by Howard Robinson, in 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / c. Primary qualities ]

Full Idea

The idea that objects do not possess secondary qualities intrinsically rests on the thought that they do not figure in the physicist's account of the world; ..as they are causally idle, no purpose is served by attributing them to objects.

Gist of Idea

We say objects possess no intrinsic secondary qualities because physicists don't need them

Source

Howard Robinson (Perception [1994], III.1)

Book Reference

Robinson,Howard: 'Perception' [Routledge 2001], p.61


A Reaction

On the whole I agree with this, but colours (for example) are not causally idle, as they seem to affect the behaviour of insects. They are properties which can only have a causal effect if there is a brain in their vicinity. Physicists ignore brains.