A Course on Perception

Gilbert Simondon (1924–1989) was a French philosopher and scientist best known for his work on individuation and the philosophy of technics. His two main works include Individuation in Light of Notions of Form and Information and On the Mode of Existence of Technical Objects, both translated into English and published by the University of Minnesota Press.

Taylor Adkins is an independent scholar and translator. His previous translations include both volumes of Gilbert Simondon's Individuation in Light of Notions of Form and Information, published by the University of Minnesota Press.

Contents

Preface

Renaud Barbaras

Note on the Present Edition

Part I. Perception in Western Thought

1. Antiquity: Logic, Psychology, Ethics: Perception as Instrument of Knowledge

2. The Classical Period: Classical Rationalism and Empiricism: Perception as Operation

3. Modern Theories and Research: Perception as Function and Effect

Part II. The Biological Role and Sense of the Perceptive Function

4. Biological Data: Perception Among the Other Functions of the Organism

5. Physiological Aspects of Perceptive Functions

Part III. Perception and Information: Psychological Effects

6. The Perception of Moving

7. The Perception of Form

8. The Perception of Space

9. The Perception of Duration

Part IV. Perception and Affectivity: Context Effects; Motivation

10. The Importance of Context Effects

11. Perception and Motivation

Part V and Conclusion: Perception and Activity: Practical Consequences for Human Technology

12. Practical Consequences of the Limits of the Field of Apprehension

13. Perceptivity in Human Technology

Spreads and Illustrations for Gilbert Simondon's Course on Perception

Index