Need worksheet from yellow folder – arg from perceptual variation

Recap How do these images illustrate the two theories of realism?

The two theories of realism Direct realism: The theory claims that what we perceive is really the external world. Direct realism: The theory claims that what we perceive is really the external world. Indirect realism: It claims that what we immediately or directly perceive are sense-data, rather than the physical world itself, which can only be perceived indirectly. Indirect realism: It claims that what we immediately or directly perceive are sense-data, rather than the physical world itself, which can only be perceived indirectly.

2 mark style exam question 2A clear coherent answer, with no significant redundancy 1A partial answer, possibly in the form of fragmented points. Imprecise and/or significant redundancy 0Nothing to credit. The examiner is looking for quality over quantity here!

2 mark exam question What is indirect realism? In pairs construct what you think would be an examiner’s dream answer to this! Be ready to feedback! Indirect realism: It claims that what we immediately or directly perceive are sense-data, rather than the physical world itself, which can only be perceived indirectly. Indirect realism: It claims that what we immediately or directly perceive are sense-data, rather than the physical world itself, which can only be perceived indirectly.

Direct Realism: Criticisms The argument from perceptual variation LO: To know the argument from perceptual variation. To begin to examine how direct realists respond to the criticism.

Russell – Chapter 1 pp Why does he think that we cannot trust what our senses tell us about the texture of the table? 2.How does he argue (a) that the table’s real shape is not something that we see, and (b) that our senses of touch and hearing don’t reveal directly any definitive property of the table?

Part B: Evaluation questions 3.Is Russell right that we never see the table’s real shape? 4.One way of attacking Russell is to say that, when we view a table from different angles, what varies is not what we see, but the way in which we see it. What do you think of this attack? Russell – Chapter 1 pp

Appearance and Reality Create 3 different examples that support the statement: What we ‘see’ is not what is ‘out there’. How would these examples threaten the validity of direct realism?

“If we take any common object of the sort that is supposed to be known by the senses, what the senses immediately tell us is not the truth about the object as it is apart from us, but only the truth about certain sense-data which, so far as we can see, depend upon the relations between us and the object.” Simplify Russell’s idea into one sentence. You must use the words: Directly Perceive Sense-data What problem does this pose for direct realism?

Sense data – what is it? Russell defines sense data as the name for what we are immediately aware of in perception i.e. the colour and shape of the desk as I see it now. The ‘content’ of my sensation – what I am immediately aware of – is sense data.

The argument from perceptual variation 1.There are variations in perception 2.Our perception varies without corresponding changes in the physical object we perceive. (For instance, the desk remains rectangular, even as the way it looks to me changes as I look at it from different angles.) 3.Therefore, the properties physical objects have and the properties they appear to have are not identical. 4.Therefore, what we are immediately aware of in perception is not exactly the same as what exists independently of our minds. 5.Therefore, we do not perceive physical objects directly.

How does the argument from perceptual variation attack direct realism? Is this a valid argument against DR? Why?

5 mark question Outline and explain the argument from perceptual variation as an objection to direct realism.

What the examiner is looking for in a 5 mark answer. 5A full, clear and precise explanation. The student makes logical links between precisely identified points, with no significant redundancy. 4A clear explanation, with logical links, but some imprecision, redundancy. 3The substantive content of the explanation is present and there is an attempt at logical linking. But the explanation is not full and/or precise. 2One or two relevant points made, but not precisely. The logic is unclear. 1Fragmented points, with no logical structure. 0Nothing to credit.

To end with…. Realism At least some of what we perceive is a feature of the external world, & exists independently of our minds. Sense Data The name for what we are immediately aware of in perception i.e. the colour and shape of the desk as I see it now. Direct Realism There are variations in perception. Therefore, what we are immediately aware of in perception is not exactly the same as what exists independently of our minds. Therefore, we do not perceive physical objects directly. The theory claims that what we perceive is really the external world. The Argument from Perceptual Variation

Homework Read page 32 of lacewing Answer the homework questions. Due in next lesson.

Homework questions on the argument from perceptual variation 1.Briefly outline the two objections direct realism offers against the argument from perceptual variation. 2.Do you think the direct realist’s response – that we do all see the table’s colour as some shade of brown – overcomes the criticism put forward by the argument from perceptual variation? Explain your reasons. 3.Do you agree with the direct realist’s argument that ‘looking obtuse’ is a property the desk has and is not a property of a sense-data (or sense- datum)? Explain your reasons.