Perception as a source of knowledge

• Berkeley's argument from perceptual variation


  Berkeley's argument that the variation in the appearance of primary qualities challenges the idea of direct realism.
• Berkeley's attack on the primary/secondary distinction


  Berkeley's argument that the primary/secondary quality distinction is flawed and that both sets of qualities are equally mind-dependent.
• Locke's argument from perceptual variation


  Locke's argument that the variation in the appearance of primary and secondary qualities challenges the idea of direct realism.
• Locke's primary/secondary quality distinction

  Locke's distinction between qualities that resemble the objective properties of objects (primary) and those that do not (secondary).
• Secondary qualities


  Qualities of objects that depend on the perceiver, such as color and taste.
• Primary qualities


  Qualities of objects that are inseparable from them, such as shape and size.
• Catherine Trotter Cockburn


  A philosopher who argued for the coherence of various kinds of experience.
• Coherence of experience


  The idea that our different senses cohere with each other, providing evidence for the existence of an external world.
• Coherence


  Consistency or logical connection between ideas or experiences.
• Veil of perception


  The idea that our sense data act as a barrier between us and the external world.
• Inference


  The process of reaching a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning.
• Hallucinations


  Perceptions of things that are not actually present.
• Illusions


  Misinterpretations or distortions of sensory information.
• Sense organs


  Organs of the body that receive and transmit sensory information.
• God


  The infinite mind that perceives and sustains the universe according to Berkeley's idealism.
• Infinite mind


  A mind that has no limits or boundaries.
• Finite minds


  Limited or bounded minds.
• Material objects


  Physical objects that exist independently of being perceived.
• Idealism


  The belief that reality is fundamentally mental or immaterial.
• Solipsism


  The belief that only one's own mind and its contents exist.
• Perceptual variation argument (speed)


  The argument that the speed of an object can appear different depending on the observer's perspective.
• Perceptual variation argument (motion)


  The argument that the motion of an object can appear different depending on the observer's perspective.
• Perceptual variation argument (shape)


  The argument that the shape of an object can appear different depending on the observer's perspective.
• Perceptual variation argument (size)


  The argument that the size of an object can appear different depending on the observer's perspective.
• Perceptual variation argument


  The argument that the variation in the appearance of physical objects challenges the idea of direct realism.
• Perceptual relativity


  The idea that the perception of an object can vary depending on the position or angle of observation.
• Bertrand Russell


  A philosopher who discussed the variation in the appearance of physical objects.
• Perceptual variation


  The variation in the appearance of physical objects depending on the conditions of perception.
• Veridical perception


  Accurate perception of reality.
• Reality


  The state of things as they actually exist.
• Appearance


  The way something seems or appears to be.
• Argument from illusion


  The argument that our senses can be deceived, leading to a distinction between appearance and reality.
• Agreement


  Consensus or harmony in opinion or belief.
• Explanatory power


  The ability of a theory or explanation to account for and make sense of a wide range of phenomena.
• Scepticism


  The doubt or disbelief in the truth or reliability of something.
• Common sense


  The basic understanding and knowledge that is shared by most people.
• Mediating


  Intervening or coming between two things.
• Object perceived


  The physical object that is being perceived.
• Perceiver


  The person who perceives an object.
• Properties


  Characteristics or attributes of objects.