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Single Idea 6511

[from 'Perception' by Howard Robinson, in 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 8. Adverbial Theory ]

Full Idea

If only modes of sensing are ostensively available, ..then it is a category mistake to see any resemblance between what is available and properties of bodies; one could as sensibly say that a physical body is proud or lazy as that it is red or square.

Clarification

'Ostensive' means directly pointed out

Gist of Idea

If there are only 'modes' of sensing, then an object can no more be red or square than it can be proud or lazy.

Source

Howard Robinson (Perception [1994], VII.5)

Book Reference

Robinson,Howard: 'Perception' [Routledge 2001], p.176


A Reaction

This is an objection to the 'adverbial' theory of perception. It looks to me like a devastating objection, if the theory is meant to cover primary qualities as well as secondary. Red could be a mode of perception, but not square, surely?