study questions 7

Hanson argues that our nonverbal perceptual experiences are “theory-laden”. That is, he argues that the theories that we hold affect the way that we actually perceive (“see”) the world. Do you believe that he is right about this? Be sure to carefully explain and defend answer.

I agree with Hanson because our beliefs and past experiences affect how we see and understand things. For example, a doctor and an ordinary person might look at the same X-ray but notice different things because of their knowledge. This shows that what we already know can influence what we see.

Explain why Hanson believes that Kepler and Brahe literally do not see the same thing in the east at dawn when they watch the sun rise. Do you agree that the two men have different visual experiences? Why?

Hanson believes they see different things because Kepler believes the Earth moves around the Sun while Brahe believes the Sun moves around the Earth. Their different beliefs affect how they interpret what they see. I agree because our knowledge and beliefs can influence how we experience the world.

Does Hanson believe that the retinas of both men are in the same physical state, i.e., have the same configuration etched on their retinas?

Yes. Hanson believes both men have the same physical image on their retinas, but their different beliefs cause them to interpret what they see differently. 

Explain why Hanson believes that “seeing” is an experience and that this is different from a retinal reaction?

Hanson believes seeing is more than just your eyes reacting to light. It also involves your brain interpreting what you see based on your knowledge and experiences. A retinal reaction is simply a physical response of your eyes to light.

Explain why Hanson believes that the fact that the two men see the same physical object is not enough to conclude that they see the same thing (have same visual experiences)

Hanson believes that people can look at the same object but see it differently because their beliefs and knowledge affect how they interpret it. Therefore, seeing the same object does not mean having the same visual experience

Explain why Hanson believes that one can’t resolve the situation by explaining the differences between Kepler and Brahe in terms of different (verbal or nonverbal) interpretations of what they see.

Hanson believes the differences go beyond how they describe or interpret what they see. Their different beliefs actually affect their visual experiences, meaning they literally see the world differently.

Do you agree (with Hanson) that the theories that we hold literally determine what we observe, which if true, undermines the claim that observation provides a neutral, objective court of appeal for evaluating scientific hypotheses and theories? Be sure to explain and defend your answer.

I partly agree with Hanson because our beliefs and knowledge can influence what we observe. This means observations are not always completely neutral or objective. However, I don’t think this makes science unreliable because scientists can use evidence and testing to check their observations.

What does Hanson mean when he says, “theories and interpretations are ‘there’ in the seeing from the outset” (p. 178) Is he right about this?

Hanson means that our beliefs and knowledge influence what we see from the very beginning, not just how we explain it afterward. I think he is right because our past experiences and knowledge affect how we understand the world around us

Discuss how the various examples that he cites (e.g., Necker cube, X-ray tube, words on a page, hearing an oboe out of tune) are supposed to support his radical claim that what we literally see is shaped by the theories that we hold and the language that we speak. Do you think he is right?

Hanson uses these examples to show that people can see or hear the same things differently depending on their knowledge, beliefs, and language. For example, people can see a Necker cube in two different ways. I think he is right because what we know and expect can influence how we expierience the world.

Do you believe that the layman must, for instance, learn physics before he can see what the physicist sees?

No, I don’t think someone must learn physics to see what a physicist sees. However, learning physics can help them understand and notice things that they might not have recognized.