Disjunctivism (New Problems of Philosophy) - Clear Introduction

In this review of Disjunctivism (New Problems of Philosophy) the bottom line is straightforward: this book is an excellent introductory guide for students and readers who want a clear, rigorous entry into the debate over perception, illusion and hallucination. Matthew Soteriou lays out the contested positions with patience and precision, making the single biggest reason to buy it the way it maps complicated arguments into accessible, chapter-sized expositions that make the central dispute - whether perceptual experiences of veridical perception and hallucination share the same nature - intelligible to a non-specialist.

Key Features

• First book-length introduction: It provides the first sustained, focused treatment of disjunctivism as a distinct position within contemporary debates about perception.
• Clear explanation of positions: The book explains both disjunctivist views such as naive realism and opposing accounts like sense-datum and representationalist theories, helping readers compare alternatives directly.
• Focus on core questions: Soteriou introduces and assesses the pivotal questions that determine whether the disjunctivist view is tenable, guiding readers through philosophical stakes and consequences.
• Accessible tone: Written as an introduction rather than a specialist monograph, the text is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students entering the literature.
• Philosophy of mind and epistemology scope: The book situates disjunctivism within wider debates in epistemology and philosophy of mind, showing its relevance beyond pure perception theory.

Who It's For

Disjunctivism is aimed primarily at philosophy students, early-career researchers and interested general readers who want a systematic, readable account of the disjunctivist position and its rivals. Those preparing for seminars or seeking a clear roadmap through contemporary literature on perception will find the book particularly useful.

Readers looking for a highly technical, original research monograph with extensive new arguments or exhaustive bibliographic coverage should look elsewhere; this volume is introductory and interpretive rather than an encyclopedic research treatise.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a focused, book-length introduction that clarifies the core commitments of disjunctivism.
• Explains opposing theories such as sense-datum and representationalist accounts in a way that facilitates direct comparison.
• Relates the debate to broader issues in philosophy of mind and epistemology so readers can see wider implications.

Cons

• As an introductory treatment, it does not replace specialist monographs when readers need exhaustive technical detail.

Specifications

Title	Disjunctivism (New Problems of Philosophy)
Author	Matthew Soteriou
Topic	Perception, illusion and hallucination
Approach	Book-length introductory treatment of disjunctivist views
Compared views	Naive realism, sense-datum theories, representationalist theories
Field	Philosophy of mind and epistemology

Our Verdict

Disjunctivism is a well-judged introduction that succeeds at making a difficult debate intelligible; students and instructors will find it good value for the clarity it brings to competing accounts of perception. Buy it if you need a readable, focused guide to disjunctivism rather than an exhaustive specialist reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book argue for disjunctivism?
It introduces and explains disjunctivist arguments and contrasts them with rival accounts, aiming to assess whether the view is tenable rather than simply promoting it.

Is this suitable for undergraduates?
Yes; the book is written as an accessible, book-length introduction that is appropriate for advanced undergraduates and graduate students.

Which rival theories are covered?
Soteriou discusses naive realism from the disjunctivist side and contrasts it with sense-datum theories and representationalist theories.