Perceptual Capacities and Magnitudes

When we perceive, we employ perceptual capacities by means of which we discriminate particulars in our environment. When we see the red shade of an apple we employ our capacity to discriminate red from other colors. More generally, we might say that to be a perceiver is to possess certain capacities, to perceive is to employ those capacities, and employing perceptual capacities constitutes perceptual states. One central perceptual capacity enables the discrimination of magnitudes such as area, density, and numerosity. On the one hand, psychologists have been studying how the perceptual system manages to discriminate magnitudes, and which magnitudes it discriminates. On the other hand, philosophers have been analyzing what perceptual capacities are, and how magnitudes are discriminated in perceptual experience. This workshop will bring psychologists and philosophers together to exchange ideas for the purpose of understanding perceptual capacities in general, and the perceptual capacity to discriminate magnitudes more specifically.

This workshop is generously supported by York’s Department of Philosophy, VISTA Program, Centre for Vision Research, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, and Office of the Vice President of Research and Innovation.