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Gibson's Theory of Perception: A Case of Hasty Epistemologizing?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2022

Edward S. Reed  and
Rebecca K. Jones
Edward S. Reed
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh
Rebecca K. Jones
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh
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Abstract

Hintikka has criticized psychologists for “hasty epistemologizing,” which he takes to be an unwarranted transfer of ideas from psychology (a discipline dealing with questions of fact) into epistemology (a discipline dealing with questions of method and theory). Hamlyn argues, following Hintikka, that Gibson's theory of perception is an example of such an inappropriate transfer, especially insofar as Hamlyn feels Gibson does not answer several important questions. However, Gibson's theory does answer the relevant questions, albeit in a new and radical way, which suggests that the alleged distinction between psychology and epistemology is suspect. In fact, contrary to Hintikka and Hamlyn's claims, Gibson's theory of perception appears to be a valuable source of epistemological as well as psychological ideas.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 45 , Issue 4 , December 1978 , pp. 519 - 530
Copyright
Copyright © Philosophy of Science Association 1978

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