Molyneux's problem

proper noun

A thought experiment, asking, "if a man born blind can feel the differences between shapes such as spheres and cubes, could he, if given the ability to see, distinguish those objects by sight alone, in reference to the tactile schemata he already possessed?"

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. human sciencesA thought experiment, asking, "if a man born blind can feel the differences between shapes such as spheres and cubes, could he, if given the ability to see, distinguish those objects by sight alone, in reference to the tactile schemata he already possessed?"

Origin

First formulated by William Molyneux.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Molyneux's problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Molyneux's%20problem

MLA

“Molyneux's problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Molyneux's%20problem. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Molyneux's problem,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Molyneux's%20problem.

Source: Molyneux's problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.