1. Appearance and Reality
The Problems of Philosophy
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2009-03-30

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Sense-data cannot be
trusted

We assume a correlation
between our own
experience and that of
other people with no
reason to do so

Example of the table is
introduced

We can never have exactly
the same experience

Appearance versus reality

So, table has no colour?

Sight cannot be trusted

We infer reality from
apperance

Sense of touch can be
doubted

Real table is not
immediately experienced,
we infer it

Sense-data: immediate
sensation, apperance

Sense-data (apperance)
does not necessarily lead
to the 'real' table (reality)

Physical objects are
'matter'

Key questions for
consideration

Idealism from Berkeley

Idealism shows matter can
reasonably be denied

When you leave the room,
objects persist because
they are being perceived
by G/d

Replacement for G/d

Both believe the 'real' table
exists, just dispute its
nature

Is Russell hinting at the
existence of the external
world?

Distinction between
apperance and reality, and
the problem of relation
between the two

Scientific view

The value of philosophy