The Problem of Perception (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780674008410)

In a major contribution to the theory of perception, A. D. Smith presents a truly original defense of direct realism--the view that in perception we are directly aware of things in the physical world.

The Problem of Perception offers two arguments against direct realism--one concerning illusion, and one concerning hallucination--that no current theory of perception can adequately rebut. Smith then develops a theory of perception that does succeed in answering these arguments; and because these arguments are the only two that present direct realism with serious problems arising from the nature of perception, direct realism emerges here for the first time as an ultimately tenable position within the philosophy of perception.

At the heart of Smith's theory is a new way of drawing the distinction between perception and sensation, along with an unusual treatment of the nature of objects of hallucination. With in-depth reference to both the analytical and the phenomenological literature on perception, and with telling criticism of alternative views, Smith's groundbreaking work will be of value to philosophers of perception in both the analytical and the phenomenological tradition, as well as to psychologists of perception.

Author: A. D. Smith
ISBN-10: 0674008413
ISBN-13: 9780674008410
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Language: English
Published: 08/26/2002
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.41lbs
Size: 9.58h x 6.34w x 1.12d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 08/01/2002 pg. 100
Choice 03/01/2003 pg. 1197
Library Journal 08/12/2002