Is perception informationally encapsulated? The issue of the theory-ladenness of perception

被引:15
作者
Raftopoulos, A [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Cyprus, Dept Educ Sci, CY-1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
关键词
D O I
10.1207/s15516709cog2503_4
中图分类号
B84 [心理学];
学科分类号
04 ; 0402 ;
摘要
Fodor has argued that observation is theory neutral, since the perceptual systems are modular, that is, they are domain-specific, encapsulated, mandatory, fast, hard-wired in the organism, and have a fixed neural architecture. Churchland attacks the theoretical neutrality of observation on the grounds that (a) the abundant top-down pathways in the brain suggest the cognitive penetration of perception and (b) perceptual learning can change in the wiring of the perceptual systems. In this paper I introduce a distinction between sensation, perception, and observation and I argue that although Churchland is right that observation involves top-down processes, there is also a substantial amount of information in perception which is theory-neutral. I argue that perceptual learning does not threaten the cognitive impenetrability of perception, and that the neuropsychological research does not provide evidence in favor of the top-down character of perception. Finally, I discuss the possibility of an off-line cognitive penetrability of perception. (C) 2001 Cognitive Science Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:423 / 451
页数:29
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