Thomas Reid's Geometry of Visibles as Basis for a Theory of the Perspectival Character of Vision

• Applicant: Dr. Hannes Ole Matthiessen
• Subject Area: Theoretical Philosophy ; History of Philosophy
• Term: from 2015 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 275664513

The research project "Thomas Reid's Geometry of Visibles as Basis for a Theory of the Perspectival character of Vision" wants to explore Thomas Reid's geometry of Visibles in the context of contemporary philosophy of perception. More specifically, a Reidean theory of visual space and of perspectival properties shall be used to explain how perception (particularly vision) can represent both intrinsic and perspectival (relational) properties. To achieve this aim, the project starts with a thorough exploration of Reid's theory of perception, particularly his theory of vision. In a second step the project seeks to investigate in how far a Reidean theory of mind-independent perspectival properties can be of use in a contemporary description of vision's double-layered content. This investigation may be relevant to one of the central issues in contemporary philosophy of perception, namely the question whether perception can best be conceptualized in a representationalist or a relationalist manner. Empirical data from perceptual psychology shall be considered insofar as it is relevant to the qestion as to whether it is plausible to assume that Reidean visible figures (perspectival properties of external objects that can be represented by spherical projection) are present to us in vision. Finally, the systematic approach can also shed light on some interpretative issues concerning Reid's philosophy of perception.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants