A classic philosophical conundrum:

If a tree falls in a forest and no-one hears it fall, does it make a sound?

Of course it does, don’t be stupid!

Hmm, maybe it doesn’t!

‘Is there any knowledge in the world which is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it? This question, which at first sight might not seem difficult, is really one of the most difficult that can be asked. When we have realized the obstacles in the way of a straightforward and confident answer, we shall be well launched on the study of philosophy—for philosophy is merely the attempt to answer such ultimate questions, not carelessly and dogmatically, as we do in ordinary life and even in the sciences, but critically, after exploring all that makes such questions puzzling, and after realizing all the vagueness and confusion that underlie our ordinary ideas.’

PERCEPTION: DIRECT REALISM

Epistemology

Today’s lesson

You will learn how to explain and evaluate direct realism: the view that the immediate objects of perception are mind-independent objects and their properties

Key things today

An important text: Russell, The Problems of Philosophy, Chapter 1

Some important key terms: Perception External world Mind-independent Illusion Perceptual variation Hallucination Time-lag arguments

A practice definition question: What is direct realism? (2 marks)

Planning an answer: Explain the argument from perceptual variation (5 marks)

Let’s start with some optical illusions…

Do they make you doubt your perception of the world?

What do you see?

What do you see?

Stare at the grid below for a few seconds. Can you notice anything strange happening?

The lines are sloping. Or are they?

Is the woman young or old?

Do these optical illusions make you doubt your

perception of the world?

Direct Realism

Read p.9 in your booklet about direct realism

In pairs: Highlight key words and phrases Select eight key words / phrases to answer

the question: What is direct realism?

A practice definition question:

What is direct realism? (2 marks) Write your own answer Share your answer with your partner – how could your

answer be improved?

Just give a clear, correct answer Answer the question, then stop DON’T waffle – don’t write irrelevant information

A little information about the exam

3 hours100% of the AS levelAll questions are compulsoryTotal marks: 80

Epistemology Philosophy of Religion2 marks – 5 mins 2 marks – 5 mins

5 marks – 10 mins 5 marks – 10 mins

9 marks – 15-20 mins 9 marks – 15-20 mins

9 marks – 15-20 mins 9 marks – 15-20 mins

15 marks – 35-45 mins 15 marks – 35-45 mins

AO1: demonstrate understanding of the core concepts and methods of

philosophyAO2: analyse and evaluate philosophical argument to form reasoned judgements

Discussion

Do you agree that we perceive objects directly because they really are ‘out there’ and they possess innate properties?

Task – 5 minutes

In the table below we have two things – a real kettle and an imagined kettle. You need to decide how they are different. What makes one real and the other not?

Real kettle Imagined kettle

Homework from last week

Read Bertrand Russell, The Problems of Philosophy, Chapter 1 and answer the following questions:1. What problems does Russell encounter when he

starts to think about the table?2. What does Russell mean by the distinction between

appearance and reality?3. Why does Russell argue that colour isn’t inherent in

the table?4. What are sense-data?5. Do you think that the table really possesses size,

shape, colour and texture?6. Why might we doubt that the table is real at all?

Problems with direct realism

The argument from illusionThe argument from hallucinationThe argument from perceptual variationThe time-lag argument

Booklets, p.11-13Textbooks, p.30-36

20 minutes:

In your group, prepare a quick presentation to explain your

criticism

Plan an answer:

Explain the argument from perceptual variation (5 marks) Give a full, clear, precise explanation Use examples if they help to make your points clearer Don’t criticise or comment on the argument, just

explain it Textbooks, p.30-31