by Joanna Maharis

Created on: September 15, 2009

The Problem of Perceptual Error

In this article, I will be discussing the various theories involed in the problem of perceptual error. Plato, a philosopher of these theories, introduced the theories of forms, and wrote five different dialogues to back up his theory. They consist of: (1) the Thaetetus; (2) the Protegous; (3) the Sophist; (4) the Meno; and (5) the Republic, which deals with the five stages of the philosophical king. Along with his strengths, I will be discussing his weaknesses.

Descartes, another philosopher, introduced the theory of Methodological Doubt which serves as the foundation for his two axioms. They include: (1) the "Cognito Ergo Sum" and (2) the idea of the Divine Being. This particular individual doubted everything. He even went so far as to doubting his own existence. Like Plato, he placed strong emphasis upon mathetics. Descartes strengths and weaknesses will be discussed, as well.

Along with the two different view points regarding the problem of perceptual error, the divided line will also be discussed in this article. I will be explaining the different degrees of reality and the degrees of knowledge. The idea of the Divided Line was introduced by Plato.

The problem of perceptual error is that our senses are flawed and they cannot be trusted. According to Descartes, one can never be certain of anything except for th fact that he is a thinking being. Matter does not exist in the real world, because objects are nothing but dream images. According to Descartes' dream theory, there is no way for one to distinguish wakeful images from dream images.

Plato states that the only things that can qualify as knowledge are forms and mathematical entities. the theories of knowledge are: (1) Rationalism; (2) Empiricism; (3) Intuitionism and (4) Authoritarianism.

In direct realism the way in which we perceive an object in the real world can be flawed by our senses, such as a straw which is placed in to a glass of water. Although the straw appears to be bent, it is in reality straight.

According to Descartes' theory of Methodological Doubt, there are five stages that one goes through. They include: (1) the problem of illusion; (2) the problem of perceptual error; (3) the problem of hallucination; (4) the dream problem; and (5) the problem of the evil genius. Each of these problems has its own conflicts. During th edream problem the mind becomes overactive, because there is no way to distinguish the wakeful state from the dream state. In representative

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