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All 8 Flashcards — Theories of perception
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Question
Direct realism?
Answer
The view that we perceive the real world directly, as it is — you see the mug itself, no middle step.
Question
The argument from illusion?
Answer
Since appearances can differ from reality (a straight stick looks bent), what we see is an appearance, not the thing itself.
Question
Representative realism?
Answer
A real world exists, but we only ever see the mental images it causes — like watching the world on a screen.
Question
The 'screen' problem for representative realism?
Answer
If you only ever see the images, you can never step outside to check they match the real world.
Question
Idealism (Berkeley)?
Answer
Reality is ultimately mental: only images, no material world behind them — 'to be is to be perceived'.
Question
'To be is to be perceived'?
Answer
Berkeley's slogan: a thing exists as a bundle of experiences; unperceived, it needs God to keep existing.
Question
The three theories on a scale?
Answer
Direct realism (see the world) → representative realism (see images of a world) → idealism (only images, no world behind).
Question
The price each view pays (Go further)?
Answer
Direct: illusions. Representative: stuck behind the screen. Idealism: the world vanishes when unperceived (Berkeley uses God).
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