Perception

Perception presents classic essays on the conceptual and theoretical problems in the study of vision. In a style that is accessible to the non–expert, the volume lays out core issues in the theory of vision and then sets up a dialogue on the topics among philosophers and psychologists, past and present. Perception provides the historical background on the important debates in this field, considers alternative accounts of the basis for the individuation of the senses, explores the controversy over whether perception is direct or indirect, and examines the difficulties and complexities of drawing a principled distinction between perception and conception. This collection will interest anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of the complex problems of perception. It will also appeal to scholars in search of a compact collection of some of the best expository writing in this area.

Acknowledgments. Introduction. . Part I: Historical Background. Introduction. 1. From On The Soul (Aristotle). 2. From An Essay Towards A New Theory Of Vision (George Berkeley). 3. From Essays On The Intellectual Powers Of Man (Thomas Reid). 4. From The Philosophy Of The Enlightenment (Ernst Cassirer). 5. From Elements Of Physiology (Johannes Müller). 6. From Treatise On Physiological Optics (Hermann Von Helmholtz). 7. From Principles Of Gestalt Psychology (Kurt Koffka) . Part II: The Senses. Introduction. 8. From The Senses Considered As Perceptual Systems And The Ecological Approach To Visual Perception (James J. Gibson). 9. From In And Out Of The Black Box (David W. Hamlyn). 10. From Perception And Cognition (John Heil). 11. From The Will (Brian O’Shaughnessy). 12. From The Analysis Of Sensation (Ernst Mach). 13. From Molyneux’s Question (Michael J. Morgan). 14. Molyneux’s Question (Gareth Evans) . Part III: Direct Versus Indirect Theories of Perception. Introduction. 15. A Theory Of Direct Perception And From The Ecological Approach To Perception (James J. Gibson). 16. How Direct Is Visual Perception? (Jerry A. Fodor and Zenon W. Pylyshyn). 17. Inference In Perception (Irvin Rock). 18. Is The Visual System As Smart As It Looks? (Patricia Smith Churchland). 19. Tacit Assumptions In The Computational Study Of Vision (Simon Ullman). 20. ‘Why Do Things Look As They Do?’ (William Epstein) . Part IV: Perception and Conception. Introduction. 21. Seeing, Believing, And Knowing (Fred Dretske). 22. From Wittgenstein (Robert Fogelin). 23. From Patterns Of Discovery (Norwood Russell Hanson). 24. Analogue Content (Christopher Peacocke). 25. Where Perceiving Ends And Thinking Begins (Elizabeth S. Spelke). 26. Seeing Is Believing – Or Is It? (Daniel C. Dennett). Index.

Robert Schwartz is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He is the author of Vision: Variations on Some Berkeleian Themes (Blackwell, 1994), and has published widely on issues in cognition and perception.

“ Perception is an outstanding introduction to the conceptual and theoretical problems of visual perception. Robert Schwartz has integrated a well–balanced collection of clear and thought–provoking writings from influential philosophers and psychologists, extending from Aristotle to the present. Perception is essential reading for students of the philosophy and psychology of visual perception.” Donald D. Hoffman, University of California, Irvine “This anthology is unique in combining substantial readings in the psychology and philosophy of visual perception. Through judicious selection, it surveys the historical background from Aristotle to Koffka, then represents in depth the variety of contemporary issues and positions. It will serve as a strong backbone for courses in philosophy of perception or visual studies.” Gary Hatfield, University of Pennsylvania