The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast Ep. 353: Reid on Visual Knowledge (Part One)
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Oct 21, 2024 Dive into the intriguing world of visual knowledge, where perception meets philosophy! The discussion navigates optical illusions and the mechanics of sight, revealing complexities in how we interpret sensory experiences. Explore the relationship between visual sensation and geometric frameworks, examining the differences between two and three-dimensional perceptions. A look at human cognition highlights the universal ability to read emotions visually. Philosophical critiques of causality challenge conventional beliefs about reality and perception.
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Visual Resemblance vs. Signification
- Reid argues that visual sensations, unlike other senses, seem to resemble real-world objects.
- However, he suggests that vision, like smell, uses signifiers dissimilar to the signified objects.
Distorted Visual Field
- Our visual field distorts reality, like parallel lines appearing to converge.
- We interpret these distorted signifiers to understand the true nature of objects, like parallel lines, not triangles.
Vermeer's Use of Camera Obscura
- Seth Paskin recounts a documentary about Vermeer's painting techniques.
- Vermeer used a camera obscura to accurately depict light and color, overcoming the eye's distortions.