Are there norms of rationality for perception? Evaluating experience‐forming processes under Bayesian norms

According to the rationality of perception thesis, perceptual processes and experiences can be rationally appraised. This thesis raises the questions of whether there can be norms of rationality for perception, and what they could be. Here, to answer these questions, we consider Bayesian norms as possible candidates. Analysing two Bayesian models of perceptual anomalies in schizophrenia, we argue that experience‐forming processes can be rationally appraised according to probabilism. After suggesting that violations of probabilism in perception are accompanied by fragmented conscious experiences and can involve epistemic and practical costs, we clarify the implications of our contribution for the rationality of perception thesis and Bayesian approaches to perception.

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Publication Details

Journal
Mind & Language
Published
2026-08-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/mila.70059
Primary Topic
Embodied and Extended Cognition
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Are there norms of rationality for perception? Evaluating experience‐forming processes under Bayesian norms

Alice Andrea Chinaia, Matteo Colombo
Mind & Language
Embodied and Extended Cognition
article

Are there norms of rationality for perception? Evaluating experience‐forming processes under Bayesian norms

Alice Andrea Chinaia, Matteo Colombo
article en

Abstract

According to the rationality of perception thesis, perceptual processes and experiences can be rationally appraised. This thesis raises the questions of whether there can be norms of rationality for perception, and what they could be. Here, to answer these questions, we consider Bayesian norms as possible candidates. Analysing two Bayesian models of perceptual anomalies in schizophrenia, we argue that experience‐forming processes can be rationally appraised according to probabilism. After suggesting that violations of probabilism in perception are accompanied by fragmented conscious experiences and can involve epistemic and practical costs, we clarify the implications of our contribution for the rationality of perception thesis and Bayesian approaches to perception.

Mind & Language
IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca (IT), Tilburg University (NL)
John Templeton Foundation, Universiteit Utrecht
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Embodied and Extended Cognition
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Are there norms of rationality for perception? Evaluating experience‐forming processes under Bayesian norms — Alice Andrea Chinaia, Matteo Colombo · Mind & Language (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS