Perceiving, Sensing, and Knowing

Perceiving, Sensing, and Knowing: A Book of Readings from Twentieth-Century Sources in the Philosophy of Perception offers an insightful collection of writings that examine perception's intricate relationship with knowledge. This anthology delves into the predominant views of English-speaking philosophers on the challenges of understanding how humans perceive and interpret the external world. By addressing traditional questions about the reliability and mechanisms of the senses, it reveals how the philosophy of perception has evolved, especially under the influence of post-Renaissance thought and the epistemological foundations laid by figures like Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, and Hume.

The book is meticulously curated to present the interplay between classical theories and modern critiques, touching on pivotal debates such as the sense-datum theory, phenomenalism, and causal theories of perception. Divided into four parts, it explores the nature of perceiving, the objects of perception, and the justification of empirical beliefs. Each section juxtaposes traditional perspectives with contemporary critiques, fostering a rich dialogue on the epistemological and ontological dimensions of sensory experience. This anthology is an essential resource for anyone interested in the philosophical underpinnings of how we perceive and know the world, offering both historical depth and critical engagement with ongoing debates in modern philosophy.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1965.