How did Hume describe the process of bottom-up perception?

David Hume characterized the process of bottom-up perception as a passive, data-driven response to sensations. This perspective emphasizes that perception begins with simple sensory input, which is then processed to form more complex experiences. Hume argued that our understanding of the world is built upon direct experiences and sensory data, rather than relying primarily on the mind's prior knowledge or interpretations.

This approach contrasts with top-down processing, where existing knowledge and expectations actively shape perception. In bottom-up processing, the sensory experience is fundamental, suggesting that our perceptual systems construct an understanding of the world primarily through the accumulation and organization of incoming sensory information. Hume's emphasis on the role of direct experience aligns closely with this characterization, indicating a more fundamental and often instinctual interaction with the sensory environment, rather than one influenced heavily by cognitive frameworks or prior experiences.