Perception and Concept

Abstract

This is a critique of conceptualism, the view that all perceptual cognition of external objects is mediated by concepts. Despite the current popularity of the view I find it to be woefully undersupported by argument. Furthermore, it is commonly conflated with more plausible positions that are not at all equivalent to it. I contrast it with an incompatible position, the theory of appearing, which holds that the core of perception (though not the whole) is a nonconceptual direct awareness of objects. In this connection I argue that X looks red to S' does not imply S conceptualizes X as red'. Finally, I point out various advantages of the theory of appearing over conceptualism.