ABSTRACT
Three main approaches to the topic of perception within epistemology are discernible in the writings of contemporary philosophers. They reflect different appraisals of the nature of epistemology and of the goal that the philosopher should set before himself in dealing with this subject:
(a) There are some who believe that the philosopher must take cognisance of the investigations of Psychology and Physiology and offer a comprehensive theory which will enable the findings of all the specialists who deal with the topic of perception to be related and harmonized. (b) There are many who affirm epistemology to be an analytic discipline, forming part of the philosopher's task of the 'analysis' of concepts, language, or common-sense. According to them the epistemologist must analyse the key concepts that are involved in perception (e.g. sensation, observation, etc.) in order to clarify them and relate them to the more general concepts (e.g. belief, knowledge, etc.) that are central in epistemology.
