Single Idea 7710

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 6. Inference in Perception]

Full Idea

According to one school of thought, perception is simply a mode of belief-acquisition,and there is no reason to suppose that any element of sensation is literally involved in perception.

Gist of Idea

Perception is a mode of belief-acquisition, and does not involve sensation

Source

E.J. Lowe (Locke on Human Understanding [1995], Ch.3)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'Locke on Human Understanding' [Routledge 2004], p.35


A Reaction

Blindsight would be an obvious supporting case for this view. I think this point is crucial in understanding what is wrong with Jackson's 'knowledge argument' (involving Mary, see Idea 7377). Sensation gives knowledge, so it can't be knowledge.

Related Ideas

Idea 7377 Mary learns when she sees colour, so her complete physical information had missed something [Jackson]

Idea 4264 Perception (which involves an assessment) is a higher state than sensation [Scruton]