• 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.
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
2
1
0
A clear coherent answer, with no
significant redundancy
A partial answer, possibly in the form of
fragmented points. Imprecise and/or
significant redundancy
Nothing 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.
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. 1 - 4
1. 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?
Russell – Chapter 1 pp. 1 - 4
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?
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.
5
4
A full, clear and precise explanation.
The student makes logical links between precisely identified
points, with no significant redundancy.
A clear explanation, with logical links, but some imprecision,
redundancy.
3
The substantive content of the explanation is present and
there is an attempt at logical linking. But the explanation is
not full and/or precise.
2
One or two relevant points made, but not precisely. The logic
is unclear.
Fragmented points, with no logical structure.
Nothing to credit.
1
0
To end with….
Realism
Direct Realism
Sense Data
The Argument from
Perceptual Variation
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.
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.
At least some of what we perceive is a
feature of the external world, & exists
independently of our minds.
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 sensedatum)? Explain your reasons.