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Précis of The Red and the Real: An Essay on Color Ontology
Author(s) -
Cohen Jonathan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
analytic philosophy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2153-960X
pISSN - 2153-9596
DOI - 10.1111/j.2153-960x.2012.00568.x
Subject(s) - citation , ontology , full color , computer science , information retrieval , philosophy , library science , epistemology , physics , optoelectronics
The Red and the Real is aimed at understanding what kinds of properties the colors are. It offers two (compatible) answers. The first, whose elaboration and defense occupies Parts I and II, is that colors are relational properties — properties constituted in terms of relations to subjects and perceptual circumstances. The second, developed in Part III, is that the particular relational properties to which colors are identical are functional roles: viz., that colors are identical with the functional roles of disposing their bearers to look colored to subjects in circumstances. In this precis I outline the main positions and arguments of the book.