Abstract

Psychologists, physiologists, and philosophers find different problems in perception, and the interested layman is often puzzled when he comes to realize how little scientific and philosophic theories of perception have in common. The approach of this book is synoptic, in that the author believes that evidence from scientific theories of perception can be brought to bear upon the solution of problems traditionally left to the philosopher. Among problems which Hirst attempts to unravel with the help of physiology and psychology are those regarding the physical causation of mental events, the status of primary and secondary qualities, and the publicity of perceptual objects.