Perception in VP

[Guest guest]

Namaste All,

 

Perception in VP: note 4

There are different uses made of error in Vedanta. The paradigm case of

error is taking a thing to be that which it is not. The primary use of

the phenomenon of error is as an analogy to display the mechanism of

adhyasa/superimposition.

 

VP clearly elucidates the structure of error or non-veridical perception.

To put it succintly, there is a witness, there are mental states which are

objects for the witness but there is no activity of the means of

knowledge. Therefore there is no perception at work but something akin to

memory. No doubt some will say - aren't you really seeing a rope. No you

are only really seeing a rope if you are really seeing a rope. There is

no mental state in the form of a rope in the case of seeing it as a snake!

 

To say more may muddy the waters.

 

Best Wishes,

Michael

[Guest guest]

Hi Michael,

 

I'm bound to say that I find this sort of thing very interesting. (I just

wish the VP were more readable!) But isn't what you present here a language

problem rather than a perceptual one? You say: " No doubt some will say -

aren't you really seeing a rope. No you are only really seeing a rope if

you are really seeing a rope. " When I say " I am really seeing a rope " , don't

I actually mean " I am seeing what is really a rope " ?

 

(Go ahead and muddy some waters!)

 

Best wishes,

Dennis

 

 

advaitin [advaitin ] On Behalf

Of ombhurbhuva

04 February 2008 23:48

advaitin

Perception in VP

 

Namaste All,

 

Perception in VP: note 4

There are different uses made of error in Vedanta. The paradigm case of

error is taking a thing to be that which it is not. The primary use of

the phenomenon of error is as an analogy to display the mechanism of

adhyasa/superimposition.