Are Perceptual Reasons the Objects of Perception?

Cunningham, J J

Abstract

This paper begins with a Davidsonian puzzle in the epistemology of perception and introduces two solutions to that puzzle: the Truth-Maker View (TMV) and the Content Model. The paper goes on to elaborate (TMV), elements of which can be found in the work of Kalderon (2011) and Brewer (2011). The central tenant of (TMV) is the claim that one's reason for one's perceptual belief should, in all cases, be identified with some item one perceives which makes the proposition believed true. I defend an argument against (TMV) which appeals to (a) the claim that the reason for which one believes should always to be identified with the explanans of the rationalising explanation to which one's belief is subject and (b) the claim that the explanantia of rationalising explanations must be identified with truths. I finish by replying to two objections to the argument.

Citation

Cunningham, J. J. (2018). Are Perceptual Reasons the Objects of Perception?. In J. Gersel, R. Thybo Jensen, M. S. Thaning, & S. Overgaard (Eds.), In the light of experience: New essays on perception and reasons (256-280). Oxford University Press

• Publication Date: Jun 28, 2018
• Deposit Date: Aug 19, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 20, 2021
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Pages: 256-280
• Series Title: Mind Association occasional series
• Book Title: In the light of experience: New essays on perception and reasons
• Chapter Number: 10
• ISBN: 9780198809630
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5884365
• Publisher URL: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/in-the-light-of-experience-9780198809630?cc=gb&lang=en&
• Additional Information: reproduced by permission of Oxford University Press