Introduction: varieties of disjunctivism

Macpherson, F. and Haddock, A. (2008) Introduction: varieties of disjunctivism. In: Disjunctivism: Perception, Action, Knowledge. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199231546 (doi: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199231546.003.0001)

Abstract

This introductory chapter argues that there are a number of different varieties of disjunctivism. But it is suggested that a mark of disjunctivism, in all of its varieties, is a refusal to credit a certain kind of significance to the fact that a pair of states can be indistinguishable from the subject's point of view. Three different varieties of disjunctivism about experience are introduced: experiential disjunctivism, according to which indistinguishable experiences can differ in intrinsic nature; epistemological disjunctivism, according to which indistinguishable experiences can differ in epistemic significance; and phenomenal disjunctivism, according to which indistinguishable experiences can differ in phenomenal character. A comparison is made with disjunctivism about bodily movement, and disjunctivism about reasons for acting. It is suggested that each variety of disjunctivism stands opposed to a Cartesian picture of the relation between the inner and the outer worlds.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Keywords: perception, action, knowledge, mind, epistemology, indistinguishability, experience, phenomenal character, bodily movement, reasons
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Macpherson, Professor Fiona
• Authors: Macpherson, F., and Haddock, A.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
• College/School: College of Arts > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISBN: 9780199231546