{"product_id":"perception-problems-of-philosophy-clear-introduction-to-sense-data","title":"Perception (Problems of Philosophy) - Clear Introduction to Sense-Data","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur review of Perception (Problems of Philosophy) finds it best suited for readers who want a thoughtful, compact re-examination of classical theories of perception. Howard Robinson offers a clear, accessible case for revisiting the old but influential \u003cstrong\u003esense-datum theory\u003c\/strong\u003e, guiding readers through historical arguments from Descartes to Husserl while responding to twentieth-century objections. This book's biggest strength is its patient argumentation: it does not assume specialist background yet engages seriously with advanced debates in \u003cstrong\u003eepistemology\u003c\/strong\u003e and the philosophy of mind, making it useful for advanced undergraduates and general readers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical sweep:\u003c\/strong\u003e Robinson surveys arguments about perception from Descartes through Husserl, letting readers see how the sense-datum view developed and was challenged over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible exposition:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book explains technical debates in clear prose so that readers without specialist training can follow the reasoning and objections.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDefence of sense-data:\u003c\/strong\u003e Robinson presents a sustained argument that objections, including Wittgenstein's critique of privacy and physicalist responses, have not decisively refuted the theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhilosophical focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e The treatment concentrates on conceptual analysis and the epistemic importance of perceptual theories rather than on psychological experiment, helping readers appreciate conceptual stakes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise and controversial:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book is compact but willing to overturn a modern consensus, offering a provocative alternative view for discussion and classroom use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is ideal for philosophy students, self-directed readers of analytic philosophy, and instructors who want a readable text that revisits foundational questions in perception without dense technical apparatus. It is also suited to those teaching courses on \u003cstrong\u003ephilosophy of mind\u003c\/strong\u003e or epistemology who want a historical defense of an older theoretical position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose looking for empirical cognitive science, experimental studies of vision, or a beginner's textbook covering a wide range of contemporary theories may want a more survey-style or empirically focused work. Readers who prefer step-by-step technical formalism will also find the book more discursive than mathematical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear historical presentation that helps situate modern objections within a longer philosophical conversation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThoughtful defense of sense-data theory that challenges prevailing assumptions and stimulates debate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccessible writing makes difficult topics approachable for non-specialists and students.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLimited engagement with empirical or experimental literature, so readers wanting scientific data on perception may be disappointed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerception (Problems of Philosophy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHoward Robinson\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhilosophy of mind; Epistemology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSense-datum theory and historical arguments\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnalytic, historical, conceptual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents and general readers of philosophy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerception (Problems of Philosophy) is a persuasive, well-structured defense of the sense-datum view that will repay readers interested in foundational questions about perception. It offers strong value for students and instructors seeking a concise, readable challenge to contemporary orthodoxy, though those seeking empirical methods should supplement it with cognitive science texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book require prior study of philosophy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot strictly; Robinson writes in an accessible way suitable for motivated beginners, but familiarity with basic epistemology will help.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book empirical or theoretical?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe treatment is primarily theoretical and historical, focusing on conceptual arguments rather than experimental data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it change how perception is taught?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt offers a compelling case for reconsidering sense-datum theory and can be a useful counterpoint in courses that otherwise present a physicalist consensus.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Howard Robinson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48760561893595,"sku":"0415033640","price":182.59,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71_hqqRaA5L._SL1500.jpg?v=1778452571","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/perception-problems-of-philosophy-clear-introduction-to-sense-data","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}