Rationality of Perception

On a traditional conception of the human mind reasoning can be rational or irrational but perception cannot. Perception is simply a source of new information and cannot be assessed for rationality or justification. Susanna Siegel argues that this conception is wrong. Drawing on examples involving racism emotion self-defense law and scientific theories <em>The Rationality of Perception</em> makes the case that perception itself can be rational or irrational. <p/><em>The Rationality of Perception</em> argues that reasoning and perception are often deeply intertwined. When unjustified beliefs fears desires or prejudices influence what we perceive we face a philosophical problem: is it reasonable to strengthen what one believes fears or suspects on the basis of an experience that was generated unbeknownst to the perceiver by those very same beliefs fears or suspicions? Siegel argues that it is not reasonable even though it may seem that way to the perceiver. In these cases a perceptual experience may itself be irrational because it is brought about by irrational influences. Siegel systematically distinguishes a number of different kinds of influences on perception and builds a theory of how such influences on perception determine what it's rational or irrational to believe. She uses the main conclusions to analyze perceptual manifestations of racism. This book makes vivid the far-reaching consequences of psychological and cultural influences on perception. Its method shows how analytic philosophy social psychology history and politics can be mutually illuminating.<br>