Visual Attention, Conceptual Content, and Doing it Right
Department of Philosophy The Ohio State University 350 University Hall Columbus, OH 43210 USA wu.572{at}osu.edu
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Abstract |
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Reflection on the fine-grained information required for visual guidance of action has suggested that visual content is non-conceptual. I argue that in a common type of visually guided action, namely the use of manipulable artefacts, vision has conceptual content. Specifically, I show that these actions require visual attention and that concepts are involved in directing attention. In acting with artefacts, there is a way of doing it right as determined by the artefact's conventional use. Attention must reflect our understanding of the function and appropriate ways to use these artefacts, understanding that requires possession of the relevant concept. As a result, we attend to the artefact's relevant functional properties. In these cases, attention is structured by concepts.