Skepticism and the Veil of Perception

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Epistemology
Cover of the book Skepticism and the Veil of Perception by Michael Huemer, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Huemer ISBN: 9781461642336
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Publication: July 17, 2001
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Language: English
Author: Michael Huemer
ISBN: 9781461642336
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publication: July 17, 2001
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Language: English

Since Descartes, one of the central questions of Western philosophy has been that of how we know that the objects we seem to perceive are real. Philosophical skeptics claim that we know no such thing. Representationalists claim that we can gain such knowledge only by inference, by showing that the hypothesis of a real world is the best explanation for the kind of sensations and mental images we experience. Both accept the doctrine of a 'veil of perception:' that perception can only give us direct awareness of images or representations of objects, not the external objects themselves. In contrast, Huemer develops a theory of perceptual awareness in which perception gives us direct awareness of real objects, not mental representations, and we have non-inferential knowledge of the properties of these objects. Further, Huemer confronts the four main arguments for philosophical skepticism, showing that they are powerless against this kind of theory of perceptual knowledge.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Since Descartes, one of the central questions of Western philosophy has been that of how we know that the objects we seem to perceive are real. Philosophical skeptics claim that we know no such thing. Representationalists claim that we can gain such knowledge only by inference, by showing that the hypothesis of a real world is the best explanation for the kind of sensations and mental images we experience. Both accept the doctrine of a 'veil of perception:' that perception can only give us direct awareness of images or representations of objects, not the external objects themselves. In contrast, Huemer develops a theory of perceptual awareness in which perception gives us direct awareness of real objects, not mental representations, and we have non-inferential knowledge of the properties of these objects. Further, Huemer confronts the four main arguments for philosophical skepticism, showing that they are powerless against this kind of theory of perceptual knowledge.

More books from Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Cover of the book Landscapes of the Ethnic Economy by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Engaging Europe by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Gifts of Time and Money by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Arizona Firestorm by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Designing Information Literacy Instruction by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book The New Psychoanalysis by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Journalism Ethics Goes to the Movies by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Supervision by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Learning Together by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Transforming Conflict by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Black Lenses, Black Voices by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Making Sense of Women's Lives by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Future Trends by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book China in and beyond the Headlines by Michael Huemer
Cover of the book Wild Curiosity by Michael Huemer
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy