| The phenomena most intimately involved with vision were those of
light. Indeed, the distinction between light and sight was not seriously
entertained until Kepler described the optical properties of the eye, early
in the seventeenth century. Before Kepler, vision was essential to optics,
and disorders of vision provided materials for medicine. Accordingly, histories
of optics and ophthalmology have focused on vision during their
early phases, but have tended to subordinate it when either the physical
nature of light was established or the dioptrics, anatomy, and physiology
of the eye were better understood. Interpretations of the perceptual process
continue to evolve and the present survey will consider developments in
the twentieth century as well as those from earlier times.
The book reflects various strands of historical reseach in perception
that have excited my interest. These interests have been shared with others,
to whom thanks are due. Mike Swanston, Mike Cowles, Hiro Ono,
Helen Ross, Stan Finger, Dieter Heller, Ben Tatler, Frans Verstraten, and
Alan Wilkes have all helped to shape my thoughts regarding historical
issues. The errors that survived their shaping should not, of course, be
associated with them but must reflect my reluctance to follow more appropriate
lines of enquiry. My greatest support has derived from my wife,
Christine. However, it is not to her that the book is dedicated, but to our
two new grandchildren born during its writing. |
