In the video, I saw several T-Rex models that seemed to be turning their heads as the camera angle changed. It is obvious that the turning is a visual illusion, and the only physical event that actually took place was the person slowly walking around the models with the camera. Even though is seems like the T-Rexes are looking right at the camera as it moves, the reality is that their position does not change at all (Brusspup, 2013). The illusion works because of the way the models are crafted using the inner cut-out.
According to Descartes, this would be an example of unreliable sense perception. Although our brains trick us to see one thing, it can be and often is a completely different thing (Romagni, 2021). In relation to his reasons for doubt, this illusion can be discussed in two stages. First, as we see the models turning their heads, we start doubting our senses. However, this is not the only unreliable source of information. As the models’ structure is revealed, intellectual beliefs come in place. Even though we feel that we have discovered the truth about the object, according to Descartes, this intellectual belied can and should also be doubted.
Descartes believes that knowledge is justified true belief, and if it is logically possible to doubt a piece of information, than it is not certain or justified; therefore, it cannot be considered as knowledge. Based on this idea, my beliefs about the video cannot count as knowledge, because I can doubt both the thing I see as the camera transitions and the thing I see when the structure of the model is revealed. Another similar example of unreliable sense perception leading to false beliefs is the McGurk Effect, which involves multimodal perception and shows that the senses do not evolve in isolation from each other. The McGurk Effect can occur, for instance, when the person is pronouncing one syllable, but their lips look as if it is a different syllable. As a result, the observers may create false perceptions of the sound being pronounced.
References
Brusspup. (2013). Amazing T-Rex Illusion! YouTube. Web.
Romagni, D. (2021). Cartesian sensory perception, agreeability, and the puzzle of aesthetic pleasure. British Journal for the History of Philosophy, 30(3), 434-455.