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Single Idea 6637

[from 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind' by E.J. Lowe, in 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 8. Adverbial Theory ]

Full Idea

How could one paraphrase the sense-datum report 'I am aware of a red square sense-datum to the right of a blue round sense-datum' in an adverbial way? 'I am appeared to redly and squarely and roundly and bluely'?

Gist of Idea

How could one paraphrase very complex sense-data reports adverbially?

Source

E.J. Lowe (Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind [2000], Ch. 5)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind' [CUP 2000], p.119


A Reaction

It is a nice question, but not an instant refutation of the adverbial theory. Vision may be a complex tangle of modes of seeing things, rather than a large collection of sense-data. As I look out of the window, how many sense-data do I experience?