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Are Pictures Peculiar Objects of Perception?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 February 2018

GABRIELE FERRETTI
GABRIELE FERRETTI*
Affiliation:
UNIVERSITY OF [email protected]
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Abstract:

Are face-to-face perception and picture perception different perceptual phenomena? The question is controversial. On the one hand, philosophers have offered several solid arguments showing that, despite some resemblances, they are quite different perceptual phenomena and that pictures are special objects of perception. On the other hand, neuroscientists routinely use pictures in experimental settings as substitutes for normal objects, and this practice is successful in explaining how the human visual system works. But this seems to imply that face-to-face perception and picture perception are very similar, if not actually the same. How can we decide between these two opposite intuitions? Here I offer a regimentation of the notion of picture perception that can reconcile these two apparently conflicting ideas about pictures. It follows that philosophers and neuroscientists can maintain their respective stances without any theoretical conflict.

Keywords

picture perceptionneuroscienceexperimental settingvisionvisual cortex
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of the American Philosophical Association , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , Fall 2017 , pp. 372 - 393
Copyright
Copyright © American Philosophical Association 2018 

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