<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>In the present paper, I shall argue that disjunctively construed naïve realism about the nature of perceptual experiences succumbs to the empirically inspired causal argument. The causal argument highlights as a first step that local action necessitates the presence of a type-identical common kind of mental state shared by all perceptual experiences. In a second step, it sets out that the property of being a veridical perception cannot be a mental property. It results that the mental nature of perceptions must be exhausted by the occurrence of inner sensory experiences that narrowly supervene on the perceiver. That is, empirical objects fail directly to determine the perceptual consciousness of the perceiver. The upshot is that not only naïve realism, but also certain further forms of direct realism have to be abandoned.</p></abstract>

In the present paper, I shall argue that disjunctively construed naïve realism about the nature of perceptual experiences succumbs to the empirically inspired causal argument. The causal argument highlights as a first step that local action necessitates the presence of a type-identical common kind of mental state shared by all perceptual experiences. In a second step, it sets out that the property of being a veridical perception cannot be a mental property. It results that the mental nature of perceptions must be exhausted by the occurrence of inner sensory experiences that narrowly supervene on the perceiver. That is, empirical objects fail directly to determine the perceptual consciousness of the perceiver. The upshot is that not only naïve realism, but also certain further forms of direct realism have to be abandoned.

Naïve Realism and the Problem of Causation

Disputatio

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{"article-title":"Naïve Realism and the Problem of Causation"}

In the present paper, I shall argue that disjunctively construed naïve realism about the nature of perceptual experiences succumbs to the empirically inspired...

Naïve Realism and the Problem of Causation

Published Online: Dec 31, 2018

Page range: 1 - 19

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/disp-2008-0007

Keywords
Naïve realism, causation, perceptual consciousness, disjunctivism, hallucination

© 2008 Michael Sollberger, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Naïve Realism and the Problem of Causation

Published Online: Dec 31, 2018

Page range: 1 - 19

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/disp-2008-0007

KeywordsNaïve realism, causation, perceptual consciousness, disjunctivism, hallucination

© 2008 Michael Sollberger, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Naïve realism, causation, perceptual consciousness, disjunctivism, hallucination