HOW CONVINCING IS DIRECT REALISM? (25 marks)
(pink = out of spec content)
LOA: Convincing
CR: Relational Properties Response
INTRO: Direct realism is the view that the immediate objects of perception are mind-
independent external objects, which we perceive directly, so that our perceptions of physical
objects match up exactly with the way they are in the external world. This is a widely
accepted, common-sense theory of perception, however it faces issues including perceptual
variation, illusions, hallucinations and time lag. Despite these problems, I will argue that
direct realism is a convincing theory which can be defended. The crucial reason for this is
the response from relational properties, showing that despite apparent differences between
perception and reality, our perceptions can still be direct.
PARA 1 - PERCEPTUAL VARIATION:
A) Explain Perceptual Variation
C) Relational Properties (CR)
E) Strong Response
PARA 2 - ILLUSIONS:
A) Explain Illusions
C) Relational Properties (CR)
E) Strong Response
PARA 3 - HALLUCINATIONS:
A) Explain Hallucinations
C) Hallucinations are Not a form of Perception (Zagzebski) (+Disjunctivism, e.g. McDowell,
Snowdon)
E) Strong Response (Hallucinations are Imagination, should Not be Taken into Account)
PARA 4 - TIME LAG:
A) Explain Time Lag
C) What vs How we Perceive
E) Strong Response (Perception is Direct, Not Immediate)
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, direct realism is a convincing theory of how we gain
knowledge through perception. The time lag and hallucination objections do not threaten
direct realism, since time lag misunderstands the theory, while hallucinations don’t count as
a form of perception of the external world. The crucial reason for the successful defence of
direct realism is relational properties, which show that despite differences between our
perceptions and external objects, we can still perceive objects directly.
(pink = out of spec content)
LOA: Convincing
CR: Relational Properties Response
INTRO: Direct realism is the view that the immediate objects of perception are mind-
independent external objects, which we perceive directly, so that our perceptions of physical
objects match up exactly with the way they are in the external world. This is a widely
accepted, common-sense theory of perception, however it faces issues including perceptual
variation, illusions, hallucinations and time lag. Despite these problems, I will argue that
direct realism is a convincing theory which can be defended. The crucial reason for this is
the response from relational properties, showing that despite apparent differences between
perception and reality, our perceptions can still be direct.
PARA 1 - PERCEPTUAL VARIATION:
A) Explain Perceptual Variation
C) Relational Properties (CR)
E) Strong Response
PARA 2 - ILLUSIONS:
A) Explain Illusions
C) Relational Properties (CR)
E) Strong Response
PARA 3 - HALLUCINATIONS:
A) Explain Hallucinations
C) Hallucinations are Not a form of Perception (Zagzebski) (+Disjunctivism, e.g. McDowell,
Snowdon)
E) Strong Response (Hallucinations are Imagination, should Not be Taken into Account)
PARA 4 - TIME LAG:
A) Explain Time Lag
C) What vs How we Perceive
E) Strong Response (Perception is Direct, Not Immediate)
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, direct realism is a convincing theory of how we gain
knowledge through perception. The time lag and hallucination objections do not threaten
direct realism, since time lag misunderstands the theory, while hallucinations don’t count as
a form of perception of the external world. The crucial reason for the successful defence of
direct realism is relational properties, which show that despite differences between our
perceptions and external objects, we can still perceive objects directly.
