General Philosophy 6.1 Introduction to Primary and Secondary Qualities
Nov 30, 2010
Dive into the intriguing world of perception and the distinction between primary and secondary qualities. Discover how early modern philosophers, especially John Locke, shaped our understanding of reality. Explore how modern science impacts our sensory experiences and the way we perceive the world around us. Unpack the philosophical problem of distinguishing what exists in the world from our interpretations of it.
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Perception as Mechanical Process
- Perception involves mechanical causal intermediaries that differ from both objects and our mental perceptions.
- Geometry and dynamics like shape and motion best explain how our perception arises mechanically.
Locke's Corpuscularian Hypothesis
- Objects' properties arise from microstructure of corpuscles made of the same universal matter.
- Primary qualities like shape, size, and solidity are intrinsic and explain objects' appearances.
Hot Plate Perception Example
- A glowing hot plate feels warm or painful on the skin, but sensations reside in the mind, not the object.
- We attribute shape to objects but face tension about whether colors are in the object or mind.