{"product_id":"a-pluralist-theory-of-perception-isbn-9780262548281","title":"A Pluralist Theory of Perception","description":"\u003cb\u003eA new theory of perception that posits that conscious perception consists not of a single kind of awareness, but of two radically different kinds deployed in concert.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost contemporary theories of perception, including leading forms of representationalism and naive realism, are \u003ci\u003emonistic\u003c\/i\u003e: they assume that to consciously perceive is to deploy only one kind of sensory awareness. In \u003ci\u003eA Pluralist Theory of Perception\u003c\/i\u003e, Neil Mehta instead argues for \u003ci\u003epluralism\u003c\/i\u003e, which says that to consciously perceive is to deploy two very different kinds of sensory awareness in concert. Mehta argues that pluralism can simultaneously explain what is common to all forms of consciousness and what is distinctive about conscious perception.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMehta’s preferred version of pluralism, which he calls \u003ci\u003erich pluralism\u003c\/i\u003e, says that conscious perception is constituted by \u003ci\u003esuccessful sensory representation \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003edeep awareness\u003c\/i\u003e. Successful sensory representation is a representational form of awareness whose targets include particulars. It is found in perceptions, whether conscious or unconscious, but not in hallucinations. By contrast, deep awareness is a nonrepresentational form of sensory awareness whose targets are certain universals—the sensory qualities. Deep awareness constitutes one kind of consciousness, it is common to conscious perceptions and hallucinations, and it reveals part of the essences of its targets. Mehta argues that although rich pluralism appears to be less parsimonious than monism, it is not. All monistic theories that are explanatorily adequate end up being even more complex than rich pluralism. Thus, rich pluralism is the most spartan theory that can shoulder the explanatory load.Contents\u003cbr\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003eChapter 1. Rich pluralism introduced\u003cbr\u003ePart I: The case for partly revelatory awareness\u003cbr\u003eChapter 2. A defense of Partial Revelation\u003cbr\u003eChapter 3. Partial Revelation extended and explained\u003cbr\u003eChapter 4. Hard problems of consciousness and the external world\u003cbr\u003ePart II. Rich pluralism vs. representationalism\u003cbr\u003eChapter 5. Perception and hallucination\u003cbr\u003ePart III. Rich pluralism vs. naïve realism\u003cbr\u003eChapter 6. Awareness of intrinsic characters\u003cbr\u003eChapter 7. Strong referential character and presentation\u003cbr\u003eChapter 8. Apparent presentational character\u003cbr\u003eChapter 9. A final assessment of naïve realism\u003cbr\u003ePart IV. Other explanatory challenges\u003cbr\u003eChapter 10. Phenomenal character\u003cbr\u003eChapter 11. Arguments from hallucination\u003cbr\u003eChapter 12. Conclusion\u003cbr\u003eGlossary\u003cbr\u003eReferences“Neil Mehta has written a fascinating book. He develops a nuanced form of ‘revelation’ concerning sensory qualities, a context-sensitive theory of talk of ‘phenomenal character,’ and many other new ideas. Anyone interested in perception and consciousness will have much to learn from this book.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Adam Pautz, Professor of Philosophy, Brown University\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eA Pluralist Theory of Perception\u003c\/i\u003e is an astoundingly rich work of philosophy, one of the best books on philosophy of perception in recent decades. The book is a model of intellectual virtue, a work of high ambition and earnest truth seeking. This is a major contribution to foundational debates about the nature of perception and consciousness.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Brian Cutter, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“Neil Mehta’s ambitious and engaging book presents an integrated solution to two central problems in the philosophy of mind: the problem of perception and the problem of consciousness. Clear, detailed, and thought-provoking, this book is highly recommended for anyone with interests in perception and consciousness.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Keith Allen, Lecturer in Philosophy, University of York\u003c\/b\u003eNeil Mehta is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Yale-NUS College.","brand":"The MIT Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300782985445,"sku":"NP9780262548281","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780262548281.jpg?v=1767720724","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/a-pluralist-theory-of-perception-isbn-9780262548281","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}