Perceptual justification and the phenomenology of experience
This thesis seeks to provide an explanation of what I call the Basic Principle about Perceptual Justification which states that if a subject S has a perceptual experience as of a mind-independent object x being F (or in which it appears to him as if an x is F), and forms the belief that an x is F on the basis of having an experience of this phenomenological sort, then (perhaps provided certain further conditions obtain) Sâs belief that an x is F is prima facie justified for S. I distinguish between two conceptions of epistemic justification. Roughly, on an objective conception, a subject S has a justified belief that p if he bases this belief on grounds that entail or make likely the truth of p, while on a subjective conception a subject S has a justified belief that p if he forms this belief on the basis of his occupying a perspective from which a situation obtains that entails or makes likely the truth of p. I argue that the truth of the Basic Principle can be derived, in part, from facts about the phenomenal character of perceptual experience. In particular, I argue that the Basic Principle can be explained by saying that the subjectâs perceptual experience can provide him with justification for believing
Willhoft, J. D.
Perceptual justification and the phenomenology of experience. This thesis seeks to provide an explanation of what I call the Basic Principle about Perceptual Justification which states that if a subject S has a perceptual experience as of a mind-independent object x being F (or in which it appears to him as if an x is F), and forms the belief that an x is F on the basis of having an experience of this phenomenological sort, then (perhaps provided certain further conditions obtain) Sâs belief that an x is F is prima facie justified for S. I distinguish between two conceptions of epistemic justification. Roughly, on an objective conception, a subject S has a justified belief that p if he bases this belief on grounds that entail or make likely the truth of p, while on a subjective conception a subject S has a justified belief that p if he forms this belief on the basis of his occupying a perspective from which a situation obtains that entails or makes likely the truth of p. I argue that the truth of the Basic Principle can be derived, in part, from facts about the phenomenal character of perceptual experience. In particular, I argue that the Basic Principle can be explained by saying that the subjectâs perceptual experience can provide him with justification for believing
perceptual justification phenomenology experience seek_provide explanation call basic principle perceptual justification state subject perceptual_experience mind_independent object appear forms belief basis experience phenomenological sort perhaps provide certain_condition obtain belief prima_facie justify distinguish_two conception epistemic_justification roughly objective conception subject justified belief base belief ground entail make likely truth subjective conception subject justified belief form belief basis occupy perspective situation obtain entails make likely truth argue truth basic_principle derive part facts phenomenal_character perceptual_experience particular argue basic_principle explain say subject perceptual_experience provide justification believe