Me: John Searle is said to have expressed the view that "perception rises to the level of background knowledge". Has Searle expressed this view and if so where?
Googles AI Overview: Yes, John Searle has expressed the view that perception relies on background knowledge, often discussing it in the context of his theory of intentionality. He argues that mental states, including perception, are not isolated but are part of a larger "Network" and "Background" of mental capacities and knowledge that shape and determine them. This idea is central to his work and can be found in his writings on consciousness, language, and intentionality, such as in his paper "Minds, Brains, and Programs" and his book "The Rediscovery of the Mind".
- Intentionality: Searle's theory of intentionality posits that any mental state's meaning is determined by three things: its content, the subject's "Network" of other intentional states, and the "Background" of non-intentional capacities.
- The Background: The "Background" is a system of non-intentional capacities that are the "pre-intentional" skills and know-how, which are essential for perception to have its specific content.
- Perception: For Searle, perception isn't just a passive reception of sensory data; it is an active, intentional process that is already shaped by the "Background" knowledge and expectations of the perceiver.
- Where to find the view: This view is discussed in his major works, such as "Minds, Brains, and Programs" (which introduced the Chinese Room argument) and his book "The Rediscovery of the Mind," which elaborates on his theory of intentionality and the role of biological naturalism in understanding the mind.
