Norwood Russell Hanson
Norwood Russell Hanson (* 1924 , † 1967 ) was an American philosopher of science and professor of philosophy of science at Yale University . He was a representative of epistemic holism .
“Theoretical loading” of observations
In his book Patterns of Discovery, he argued that "seeing" is not simply the sum of the percepts (sensory impressions) generated by the retina of the eye. Seeing always contains a strong conceptual component (see also top-down and bottom-up ) and is always loaded with theory . In fact, it is known today that the corpus geniculatum laterale has far more afferents from than efferents to the cortex. An example of this statement are x-rays . With their help, the doctor makes statements about the patient's internal condition. The patient himself - as a layperson - sees comparatively little on x-rays. Hanson cited numerous other examples, mainly from Gestalt psychology , but also from everyday life. Hanson rejects the objection that observations are "interpreted" in retrospect. According to Hanson, perception and interpretation are inseparable. Another example: For Europeans, Chinese or Arabic characters - without the appropriate language skills - are nothing more than an incomprehensible collection of lines on paper.
Thomas S. Kuhn took up Hanson's approach.
Publications
- Patterns of discovery (1958)
- Constellations and conjectures , 1973
- Observation and explanation , 1971
- What I do not believe , and other essays, 1971
Individual evidence
- ^ E. Bruce Goldstein: Perceptual Psychology . Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg 2002, ISBN 3-8274-1083-5
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Hanson, Norwood Russell |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American theorist of science |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1924 |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1967 |