Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in Philosophy
Department
Philosophy and Religion
First Advisor
Donovan Wishon
Second Advisor
Timothy P. Yenter
Third Advisor
Robert Barnard
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) causes behavioral and emotional problems. The emotions associated with the disorder, research has shown, literally change and individual’s perception. Those who study the effects of emotion on perception generally accept an indirect theory of perception like representationalism. Yet, an indirect theory does not seem to be adequate to account for the immediacy and phenomenology of PTSD. Therefore, a theory that can better account for these is needed. I suggest a form of direct realism – the combined scientific-philosophical theory that combines John Campbell’s 3-place relation and James J. Gibson’s direct perception of information through ambient light – is such a theory. In addition, looking at the variability of normalcy may account for why there is not 100% attrition of PTSD across individuals exposed to the same or similar traumatic events.
Recommended Citation
Woodruff, Patrick Travis, "PTSD And Emotionally Augmented Perception: An Argument For Direct Realism" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 751.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/751