1.2.1 Direct realism

• Direct realism contrasts with indirect realism, which holds that perception is mediated by mental representations
• What is the central claim of direct realism about perception?

  We directly perceive reality
• Match the key ideas of direct and indirect realism:

  Direct realism ↔️ Perception is a direct window onto reality

  Indirect realism ↔️ Perception is mediated by mental representations
• Direct realism contrasts with indirect realism, which holds that perception is mediated by mental representations
• Direct realism contrasts with indirect realism, which holds that perception is mediated by mental representations
• Direct realism suggests that perceptions provide an indirect representation of reality.

  False
• What does indirect realism say mediates perception?

  Mental representations
• Why does direct realism call perception a direct window onto reality?

  No interpretation is needed
• Direct realism argues that perceptual experiences feel immediate and unmediated.


  True
• Perceptual illusions support the direct realist view of perception.

  False
• Arguments against direct realism have led some philosophers to favor indirect or representational theories of perception.


  True
• Direct realism argues that we directly perceive the external world as it really is, while indirect realism claims perception is mediated by mental representations
• What does direct realism say about the role of perceptions in understanding reality?

  They provide a direct window
• What does direct realism mean by the phrase "direct window onto reality"?

  Unmediated perception of objects
• Direct realism can easily explain our ability to successfully interact with the external world.


  True
• Arguments against direct realism lead some philosophers to favor indirect realism.


  True
• Direct realism suggests that our perceptions provide a direct window onto reality.

  True
• Direct realism posits that perception introduces a layer of interpretation.

  False
• Direct realism claims our perceptions are filtered through mental representations.

  False
• What is the immediate object of perception according to indirect realism?

  Mental representations
• Direct realism posits that perception provides a direct window onto reality.


  True
• What is the key difference between direct and indirect realism?

  Direct perception versus mental mediation
• What is a perceptual illusion according to direct realism?

  Misrepresentation of reality
• Order the arguments against direct realism from strongest to weakest:

  1️⃣ Perceptual Illusions

  2️⃣ Brain in a Vat Scenario

  3️⃣ Disagreement in Perception

  4️⃣ Theoretical Entities
• What is the main difference between direct realism and indirect realism in perception?

  Direct vs indirect window
• Direct realism holds that objects themselves are the immediate objects of perception.


  True
• Indirect realism suggests that mental representations are the immediate objects of perception.


  True
• Why does direct realism argue that perceptual experiences feel immediate?

  Perception is unmediated
• Perceptual illusions are used as an argument against direct realism because they suggest perception may not be a direct window onto reality
• What is the primary difference between direct and indirect realism regarding the object of perception?

  Objects versus mental representations
• According to direct realism, what do our perceptions provide a direct window onto?

  The external world
• Order the following comparisons between direct and indirect realism:

  1️⃣ Direct realism: We directly perceive the external world

  2️⃣ Indirect realism: Perception is mediated by mental representations

  3️⃣ Direct realism: Objects are the immediate objects of perception

  4️⃣ Indirect realism: Mental representations are the immediate objects of perception
• According to direct realism, what are the immediate objects of perception?

  Objects themselves
• Direct realism argues that perceptions are filtered through mental representations.

  False
• Match the features of perception with the correct theory:

  Direct Realism ↔️ Direct perception of the external world

  Indirect Realism ↔️ Perception mediated by mental representations
• Direct realism can more easily explain our ability to interact with the external world because our perceptions provide a direct window onto reality
• How does the brain in a vat scenario challenge direct realism?

  Challenges direct perception
• The key idea of direct realism is that we perceive the objects themselves, not just mental representations
• The key difference between direct and indirect realism is that direct realism holds we perceive objects themselves, while indirect realism argues perceptions are filtered through mental representations
• Direct realism provides a simpler and more intuitive explanation of perception because it avoids the need for mental representations