Perception and the Reach of Phenomenal Content

Abstract

The phenomenal character of perceptual experience involves the representation of colour, shape and motion. Does it also involve the representation of high‐level categories? Is the recognition of a tomato as a tomato contained within perceptual phenomenality? Proponents of a conservative view of the reach of phenomenal content say ‘No’, whereas those who take a liberal view of perceptual phenomenality say ‘Yes’. I clarify the debate between conservatives and liberals, and argue in favour of the liberal view that high‐level content can directly inform the phenomenal character of perception.