John Foster presents a penetrating investigation of the question: what is it to perceive a physical object? Is perceptual contact with a physical object, he asks, something fundamental, or does it break down into further factors? If the latter, what are these factors, and how do they combine to secure the contact? For most of the book, Foster addresses these questions in the framework of a realist view of the physical world. But the arguments which thereby unfold - arguments which undermine direct realism and establish a version of the sense-datum theory - lead to the conclusion that we do not perceive physical objects at all. The only way to avoid this conclusion is by abandoning physical realism for a form of idealism, and this is the option which Foster finally embraces. The Nature of Perception makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate: it sheds light on the traditional issues, and breathes new life into positions which most current philosophers assume to be dead.

About the Author
John Foster was Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Brasenose College, Oxford, since 1966.

Reviews
'[Foster] is a sunnily abstract thinker, striding above all scholarly clutter. The Nature of Perception is a lucid, powerful, beautifully structured book.' * N. M. L. Nathan, Mind *
Foster's arguments are powerful and deep. They deserve to be answered by his physicalist opponents, and answering them will be no easy matter.' * E. J. Lowe, Times Literary Supplement *
Penetrating and thoughtful study ... Foster's arguments are powerful and deep * E. J. Lowe, Times Literary Supplement *
A lucid, powerful, beautifully structured book * Mind *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198237693
Author The late John Foster
Format Hardback
Page Count 298
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 242mm * 164mm * 21mm