In his article, A. Mark Smith explores area of perspectiva outside of the general idea of its physical process. Smith wanted to argue that perspectivist understand perspectiva as not just perceiving an object, but actually understanding it by using science. He supports this point by using the theory of “cognition by abstraction” to explain how a person comes to know something. Smith’s article outlines the theory of abstraction as a sensible way of thinking and uses the example of physical sight to justify this thought. Furthermore, he makes the argument that this thought process mirrors Aristotelian thinking.
Smith is writing to a scientific audience who has a background on the topic of perspectiva. The audience should also be familiar with Aristotle’s ideas about sight and perspective. Smith said that his purpose was “to show how these bases, and thus the theory itself, were not only paramountly Aristotelian, but also eminently sensible” (569). While it does describe the more common physical approach, this article gives a more cognitive approach to perspectiva. Furthermore, it gives an interesting approach using Aristotle’s mode of thinking.
In his first point, Smith outlines the concept of the theory of abstraction and its psychological-epistemological base. The concept of the theory of abstraction begins …show more content…
The text is difficult for the average reader, because Smith assumes that the reader already has a basic understanding of the subject and some of its technical terms. He also assumes that a person is familiar with Aristotle’s. If a person does not have this prior knowledge it is difficult to follow Smith’s thoughts. Smith makes some good points, despite it being given in a confusing manner. Smith using Aristotle’s mode of thinking brought an interesting method of arguing the subject and presented an interesting light on the
Smith is writing to a scientific audience who has a background on the topic of perspectiva. The audience should also be familiar with Aristotle’s ideas about sight and perspective. Smith said that his purpose was “to show how these bases, and thus the theory itself, were not only paramountly Aristotelian, but also eminently sensible” (569). While it does describe the more common physical approach, this article gives a more cognitive approach to perspectiva. Furthermore, it gives an interesting approach using Aristotle’s mode of thinking.
In his first point, Smith outlines the concept of the theory of abstraction and its psychological-epistemological base. The concept of the theory of abstraction begins …show more content…
The text is difficult for the average reader, because Smith assumes that the reader already has a basic understanding of the subject and some of its technical terms. He also assumes that a person is familiar with Aristotle’s. If a person does not have this prior knowledge it is difficult to follow Smith’s thoughts. Smith makes some good points, despite it being given in a confusing manner. Smith using Aristotle’s mode of thinking brought an interesting method of arguing the subject and presented an interesting light on the