TY - JOUR
T1 - Active power and causal flow in aristotle's theory of vision
AU - Baumrin, Judith Marti
PY - 1976/7
Y1 - 1976/7
N2 - Aristotle's theory of vision has been characterized as naive, incommensurate with his theory of audition, and of historical interest only. This view is based on an analysis which fails to acknowledge the role of the concepts acting upon and active power in the theory. The meaning of these terms and the role Aristotle assigned them in vision and in sensation generally is demonstrated. It is argued that with the inclusion of these concepts (1) the theory of vision is sufficiently sophisticated and modern to be more than comparable with more recent perceptual theorizing, and (2) the overall integrity of Aristotle's sensory philosophy is preserved. It is further argued that given the cohesiveness and comprehensiveness of Aristotle's psychological works, more attention should be given them by modern psychologists.
AB - Aristotle's theory of vision has been characterized as naive, incommensurate with his theory of audition, and of historical interest only. This view is based on an analysis which fails to acknowledge the role of the concepts acting upon and active power in the theory. The meaning of these terms and the role Aristotle assigned them in vision and in sensation generally is demonstrated. It is argued that with the inclusion of these concepts (1) the theory of vision is sufficiently sophisticated and modern to be more than comparable with more recent perceptual theorizing, and (2) the overall integrity of Aristotle's sensory philosophy is preserved. It is further argued that given the cohesiveness and comprehensiveness of Aristotle's psychological works, more attention should be given them by modern psychologists.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0016976060&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/1520-6696(197607)12:3<254::AID-JHBS2300120305>3.0.CO;2-1
DO - 10.1002/1520-6696(197607)12:3<254::AID-JHBS2300120305>3.0.CO;2-1
M3 - Article
C2 - 797703
AN - SCOPUS:0016976060
SN - 0022-5061
VL - 12
SP - 254
EP - 259
JO - Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences
JF - Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences
IS - 3
ER -