Venezia ZandrelliA11186709Claudi Brink (A01)In this article I will discuss exactly what Russell means by sense data, then elaborate on what sense data is supposed to be, present the arguments provided by Russell for the existence of personal data and use his arguments to describe the distinction between appearance and reality and discuss how sense data can lead to skeptical concerns and finally offer my own argument in support of the Russell's views. Russell questions whether our knowledge is sufficiently certain or not. that no reasonable person would doubt our beliefs. Our knowledge seems obvious, but it could also be reasonably doubted. Russell argues that it is possible that all of our beliefs are false, or even erroneous. So all of our beliefs have an element of doubt. I am confident that the physical world I experience is tangible and real. But, according to Russell, all is not what it seems; we have false beliefs about the true nature of things. Russell defines sense data as sensations, the “things” we directly experience when we perceive the world. Sense data are things that are immediately known in sensations such as smell, touch, color and sound. Russell states that sensation is the experience of being immediately aware of sense data. “If we were to know anything, it would be through sense data (Russell, Appearance and Reality). » Bishop Berkeley says that our sense data depends on us; sensory data are “things” that exist independently because of us. We do not obtain the truth about the object from our sensations; depending on the relationship between the objects we sense, we obtain the truth about the certain sensation. "Thus, what we see and feel directly is only an "appearance", which we believe to be the sign of a certain "reality" (Russ... middle of paper ......these or relation that others share with this physical object In conclusion to this article, when it comes to our perceptions, when we see a table we have the feeling we think we have because it is a collection of ours. sensory data Although our perceptions of the table are slightly different, we still see similar things when we look at the table, so it is easy to assume that a permanent physical object is essential for everyone's sensory data. whether it is slightly different or not. And we cannot doubt our appearances, it seems, our sense data, our immediate experiences, seem absolutely certain; my point of view. is that when I look at the table and see a color, it is with immediate certainty that I see the table and the color momentarily. our particular thoughts and feelings which have a primitive certainty (Russell, The Existence of Matter).”