Cognitive Science 0255 - Philosophy of Perception

An introduction to the philosophy of perception, and its questions. Do we perceive things as they really are, or are we aware only of our own representations of things? Is our perception of the world a grand illusion, as some, including some religious thinkers, believe, or an accurate copy of the world, like a photograph? What is the difference between misperceiving and correctly perceiving? Does perception consist of the occurrence of interior and psychological events called "sense-data", or is it about properties of things apprehended directly and as they are: "direct realism"? Can skepticism, the view that all our perception is somehow tainted or unreliable, be sustained? Is perception the end of a causal process, so that we are only indirectly in touch with the external world? What are the consequences of our answers to these questions for the practice of empirical (or sense-based) science, and common sense? The course requirements are Question Sets, a Mid-Term and Final drawn from the question sets, and two six-page papers. Prerequisite: One philosophy class or permission of the instructor.

Independent Work Writing and Research In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, and research.