Direct Realism and Perceptual Variation

The video explores epistemology, focusing on perception as a source of knowledge. It introduces direct realism, explaining that objects exist independently of our minds and possess intrinsic properties. The video discusses challenges to direct realism, such as perceptual variation, illusion, and hallucination, and presents responses from direct realists. The session concludes with a summary and a preview of future topics, including indirect realism and idealism.

What is the main focus of the new topic introduced in the course?

• Skepticism and the limits of knowledge

• Perception as a source of knowledge

• Reason as a source of knowledge

• Empiricism vs. Rationalism

According to direct realism, how do objects like tables and apples exist?

• Mind-dependently

• Mind-independently

• As illusions

• As hallucinations

What is another name for direct realism?

• Indirect realism

• Idealism

• Empiricism

• Naive realism

Which of the following is NOT a problem associated with direct realism?

• Rationalism

• Hallucination

• Illusion

• Perceptual variation

What does the argument from perceptual variation suggest?

• Objects possess mind-independent properties

• Direct realism is true

• Objects do not possess properties in themselves

• Perception is always accurate

Who argued that color is not an objective property belonging to an object?

• John Locke

• David Hume

• Bishop Berkeley

• Bertrand Russell

What example did Bertrand Russell use to illustrate perceptual variation?

• A flower under a microscope

• A round tower in the distance

• A table in different lights

• A cloud appearing red

How do direct realists respond to the argument from perceptual variation?

• By rejecting the concept of perception

• By denying the existence of objects

• By accepting that objects are mind-dependent

• By distinguishing between intrinsic and relational properties

What are intrinsic properties according to direct realists?

• Properties that change depending on the perceiver

• Properties that belong to the object and do not change

• Properties that are mind-dependent

• Properties that are illusions

What is the key claim of direct realists regarding properties of objects?

• All properties are mind-dependent

• All properties are mind-independent

• Some properties are mind-dependent

• No properties exist