Owen Barfield 'Saving the Appearances' part 2

Understanding Perception and Representation

The Nature of Perception

• Perception occurs through sense organs, but it is crucial to distinguish between the percept (what we perceive) and its cause (the physical phenomena).

• We do not merely hear or touch; our experiences involve a complex interplay of senses, mental habits, memory, and imagination.

• The familiar world we perceive is largely dependent on the individual perceiving it, suggesting that perception is subjective.

Collective Representations

• Collective representations encompass everything from tangible objects like desks to abstract concepts like smells. They are integral to our experience of reality.

• There are three primary ways we interact with these representations: contemplation (experiencing them), theorizing (thinking about their relations), and reflective thinking (considering their nature).

Types of Thinking

Figuration

• Figuration refers to the process by which sensations are transformed into meaningful representations. It involves an active contribution from the perceiver.

Alpha Thinking

• Alpha thinking involves theorizing about representations as independent entities. This type of thinking often characterizes scientific inquiry.

Beta Thinking

• Beta thinking allows for reflection on both perception and thought processes themselves. It enables deeper understanding and critique of our cognitive functions.

Interplay Between Thought Processes

• The distinctions between figuration, alpha thinking, and beta thinking are not rigid; they can influence one another significantly.

• Misinterpretations in perception can occur when one representation is mistaken for another, highlighting the fluidity between different types of cognitive processing.

Conclusion on Perceptual Experience

• Both figuration and thinking can lead to errors in representation; thus, understanding how they interact is essential for grasping human cognition.