[PHI 3000] Is seeing knowing?

Studies in perceptual psychology show that sense-perception is belief-laden. That is to say, what we see is influenced by what we believe and what we expect to see.




This might make one doubt the trustworthiness of the senses as a source of knowledge about the world.

1. If sense-perception is belief-laden, then some perceptions could be inaccurate just as some beliefs could be false.
2. Sense-perception is belief-laden.
3. (Therefore) Some perceptions could be inaccurate. [from (1) & (2)]
4. If some perceptions could be inaccurate, then a method is needed to distinguish accurate from inaccurate perceptions just as a method is needed to distinguish true from false beliefs.
5. (Therefore) A method is needed to distinguish accurate from inaccurate sense-perceptions. [from (3) & (4)]

Now, what might be a method for distinguishing accurate from inaccurate perceptions? If one thinks that there is no such method, should one be less confident about the reliability of the senses as a source of knowledge about the world?