# Uncovering Appearances Chapter Two **Opening (not a real abstract):** The Structure of Appearances The problem of perception is often treated as a concern with our knowledge of the world around us. Do we have reasons to think that our senses are a reliable guide to the nature of that world? Are there are arguments to show that there must be some ‘veil of ideas’ between the world and us? If there is such a veil, must we embrace scepticism concerning our claims to knowledge of the world? In contrast, this book takes the root of the problem to lie with our understanding and knowledge of the nature of sensory consciousness. We can make sense of the opposing views about perception, and the ways in which they disagree, only if we see them as making claims about the nature of sensory appearances, and supposing that the claims they wish to make about such states of mind can be grounded in reflection on what experience is like.