Single Idea 22426

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / c. Primary qualities]

Full Idea

I hold that experience succeeds in representing the world objectively, since primary quality perceptual content is not contributed by the mind.

Gist of Idea

We can perceive objectively, because primary qualities are not mind-created

Source

Colin McGinn (Subjective View: sec qualities and indexicals [1983], 6)

Book Reference

McGinn,Colin: 'The Subjective View' [OUP 1983], p.107


A Reaction

My new example of a direct perception of a primary quality is acceleration in a lift. What would we say to one passenger who denied feeling the acceleration? It took an effort to see that mind contributes to secondary qualities (so make more effort?).

Related Idea

Idea 21373 We become objective when we detach ourselves from the world [Janaway]