How to Test Molyneux's Question Empirically. (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Connolly, Kevin
• Is Part Of: I-Perception. Volume 4:Number 8(2013)
• Page Start: 508
• Page End: 510
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: Molyneux's question -- perception -- multimodal perception -- vision -- touch -- shape; Perception -- Periodicals; Visual perception -- Periodicals; Perception; Perception; Electronic journals; Periodical; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodicals; 153.7
• DOI: 10.1068/i0623jc
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6695

Abstract

In a recent i-Perception article, Schwenkler (2012 ) criticizes a 2011 experiment by R. Held and colleagues purporting to answer Molyneux's question. Schwenkler proposes two ways to re-run the original experiment, either by allowing subjects to move around the stimuli, or by simplifying the stimuli to planar objects rather than three-dimensional ones. In Schwenkler (2013 ), he expands on and defends the former. I argue that this way of re-running the experiment is flawed, since it relies on a questionable assumption that newly sighted subjects will be able to appreciate depth cues. I then argue that the second way of re-running the experiment is successful both in avoiding the flaw of original Held experiment, and in avoiding the problem with the first way of re-running the experiment.