In the Matter the Psychophysics-English-Gustav Theodor Fechner.

7/28/2019 In the Matter the Psychophysics-English-Gustav Theodor Fechner.

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IN THE MATTER

THE

PSYCHOPHYSICS

Gustav Theodor Fechner

Preface.

Well, after my, published in 1860, "Elements ofPsychophysics", except for some points of which you may not be

allowed to waive the since of all the pages it occurred, attackscan be regarded as discounted, the replacement offered views ofthe opponents but by their absentmindedness elude a slightoverview and comparison, I share the same folgends so far and insuch a compilation that a choice between them can be made

behufs a new foundation of psychophysics, but at the same timelooking at the probability that the choice between so manifold,contradicting each other no less than that first attempts views will

be difficult to encourage the consideration of whether it is not

preferable to finally return to the mine, and to turn my hand to allsides. This is, in short, if something expressed jokingly, butseriously understood the content and the purpose of thiswriting. Closer speaks here about the following entrance, whilethe resum the content and summarizes the results shortly, afterwhich I just have some, the font in question, vorzubemerkenexternals find here.

Rather, it would probably already in many a suggestion to

come to the issue of this writing, had not only dealing with theissue of another journal (pre-aesthetics), then repeatedbacksliding eye condition prevents it. Even now, however, aftersome happy consummated eye surgeries have allowed me aresumption of literary activity, I have to follow in the difficultywith but weak and irritable remaining eyes of the impacting thisliterature search an apology if I have overlooked this or that waswhat had to be considered. Important points should not haveescaped me, and now Overlooked might be in one, this firstissues still nachzuliefernden, second grudge.

Although questionable whether it will come to the


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situation of my age and the condition of my eyes even on sucha. Should it be the case, then the same present exceptamendments of the type and the consideration of counter-remarksagainst the designs booklet, what it will be difficult for missingthe opponents, some, from earlier deferred Tests regarding

extensive and weight sensitivity with remarks about themeasurement methods offer.

Hienach only following the establishment of the text ofthe current font.

Because of technical reasons, the content could not beaccording to the authors, to which reference was to take it,arranged so the headings to the various sections and the registrarwill come together easier in the end, what matters to each

particular. That could not accept a uniform character the whole ofScripture, as they really presents, I am sorry, but to give her such,I would have had to have only one enemy or a majorconsideration over. According to some, the writing at allintroductory, sections I have the view of the strongly translucentobjections prefixed to negotiate in the later sections with theenemies of their own views (in so far as not already the 4thsection was said seemed sufficiently) and the presentexperimental situation of Weber's Law to explain.

Parentheses within literal quotes mean activationsfolgends the part of the authors themselves, angular those whichare inserted by me. - With p. I refer to page numbers in thewritings of the authors, to those with S. In this document itself -Regarding the Paginaverweisungen the names of authors withoutenclosing their writing or treatise to consider the remark inSection II - My "Elements of Psychophysics" I call in references

by "Elem." - "Psycho-Physical" in the text several times by ps.-

ph. and "sensation" was abbreviated by E..

Content

I. Input

II I've established psychophysical laws and formulas to theirrepresentation will be mainly here, with the main objections against

establishedIII. Literature folgends preferably to be considered objections andconflicting views


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IV About Clear demonstration of the opponents

Helmholtz and Aubert

Do

Amber

Plateau

Brentano

Delbceuf

Herring

Long

V. objection that Weber's law was not correctly inferred from theexperiments (Brentano, herring, long)

VI. Objections of the experimental deviations from Weber's law (Aubert,Delbceuf, herring, long)

VII teleological argument. Extensive comments on the sensations(herring)

VIII aprioristic objection [Mach, Hering, Classen, Ueberhorst, Bernstein)

IX. Question of the transferability of the threshold into the innerpsychophysics

X. Objections to the negative sentiment values. Further remarks on thethreshold (Delbceuf, Langer, Preyer)

XI. Remarks on Contrast sensation (Hering, Mach)

XII. The difference view of sensation (Schneider, Delbceuf)

XIII. The Oscillations and chemical hypothesis (herring)

XIV . feeling about the situation of black and white, with an appendix oncolor theory Hering Hering notes about color theory and its ownhypothesis

XV . Bernstein's psycho-physical constitutionXVI. Compilation of past, especially recent experimental results ofWeber's Law immediately

1 Light intensity (without color change

2 Sound intensity (without changing pitch)

3 Taste

4 Weights5 Temperature


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6 Changes of color or pitch

7 Extensive quantities

XVII. Delboeufs light experimentsXVIII. Herring weight tests

XIX. v. experiments on tooth color combinations

XX. Question of the basic dimensions of psycho-physical activity

XXI. Resum

XXII. Epilogue.

I. entrance.

It has previously generally believed that although they can be founddifferences in the strength of sensations through inner perception thatthere was no principle but actually psychic dimension, namely such thatone can say of a sensation, it was so-so or sovielmal heavily thananother. Meanwhile, I have tried to show in my elements of

psychophysics (I. 54 and II 191 general) that, though it is impossible toobtain such a degree by internal superposition of sensations in a similar

way as you externally the length of a finished piece measures by theyard, but such a dependence based on the ratio of the strength of feelingof the strength of the stimulus that triggers the sensation, and suchshaping the internal sense by an external Elle can be measured. Wouldthis even be quite easy if you could just proportional to accept thestrength of feeling of the strength of the stimulus, but impossible oncloser investigation shows, however, it is sufficient to know therelationship of dependence between the two in order for the mass ratiosof the stimulus to determine the sensation. This is the Cardo rei for

obtaining the mental dimension. I have discussed the principles and rules attempt that may lead to thedetermination of this dependency relationship, and partly by foreign,

partly own experiments made with respect to laws and formulas, whichcan be grasped under this dependency, situated.

Now provides easy viewing illustrates that the externalstimulus , which triggers a sensation, this is not directly, but by doingthat he was a physical activity, I call it the psychophysical, in ournervous systems, triggers, of which the mental activity of sensation isdirectly dependent. You could even put the triggered by the stimulus

psychophysical activity their dimensions to the charms its dimensions


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according to proportional now, or any other relationship than the simpleproportionality between the two are valid, those laws and formulas werefirst directly if both the dependency ratio apply between perception and

psychophysical activity, second, if they do close to the same permit,hereby, except for the degree of sensation, an important contribution, so

the first point of attack for an accurate study of the direct relationshipbetween body and soul by quantitative side be given, and this to be soimportant and deeply engaging in Psychology from one side, Physiologyof the other side, and even in the philosophy that if extend those lawsand formulas, which are valid for sensory perception in relation to theunderlying physical activity, their applicability up even highershould. And like so high ascend also a mental activity, are but theintensity of the activity of consciousness that is at all related in how the

brightness of the images with which even the highest

Bewustseinsttigkeit still plays an attack point for the issue ofdimensional relationships between mental and physical page that hasbeen treated in relation to the phenomena of memory and attention up tocertain limits from me.

The previous thing that, I mean by "psycho-physics" at all an exactscience of relationships, preferably dimensional relationships 1 ) betweenthe spiritual, mental and physical, physical, physical side of existence, anaccurate insofar as it based on observation, experiment and mathematicallink of the facts is based, in short the same method with other than

exactly applicable, comply teachings. Of course, their results are notprogressed far at the same security as the mechanics, physics, chemistry,such as the following will just prove too much, and even the physiologylike them inferior in this respect, which depends on large, its peculiardifficulties, but instead to exclude an exact method, but all the same

powers challenge to overcome, however, it has since quite apart from thephilosophical treatment of the same area of such a method.

1 ) The relationship between quality of mental and physical form of thephenomena are not in principle excluded from psychophysics, but until

now little studied. But it shares so understood psychophysics into two main parts, which Idistinguish as the outer and inner psychophysics, the first deals with therelationships between mental phenomena and external excitation meansthe same, so-called stimuli, but the others on the relations of mental

phenomena the inner, so-called psycho-physical, physical activitiessubject them immediately. The first is based mainly on experiments, theother draws in Mitzuziehung anatomical, physiological and

psychological consequences of the facts first.

Which I developed from these general considerations to the "elements"principles, laws and formulas learned in general have this destiny. You


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have awakened widely attention, and, apart from some philosophers towhom a psychophysics principle can not predict, you have it notedapprovingly that has ever been attempted to address exakterem waysthan before to the problem of the relationship of body and soul . Also, Ido not know that the psychic from me prepared principle measure due to

the functional relationship between stimulus and sensation, and deeperbetween psychophysical activity and sensation, of those who haveengaged in such research since then, been contradicted, since rather eventhose who do not or agree with the view taken by my laws and formulasonly partially, but bring up their own Maformeln the same principle inthe application. 2) And because founded on the possibility of such ameasure, the possibility of psychophysics itself, the name this sciencearose only with it and since then is in fairly common use, even amathematical psychology that have been missed mental level is offered, I

could already be satisfied if they think of all my psychophysics only thisprinciple with which Socialize ends because processing of experimentalmethods could, but which by no means the whole thing is held.

2) would like an exception to this but make herring, because eventhough he has not raised an objection to the approach I principle

psychological measure directly, seems to but such in his of mine entirelydifferent reasons basic conception of the psychophysical conditionsindirectly, and the way he has dealt with the perception of light, already

pronounce, but without any of the, made before the publication of his

prospect, can continue his psychophysical studies clearly see in thisregard. In philosophical writings probably like some opposition to my

physical Maprinzip be charged, which is lost on me because I followedsome of the more recent philosophical literature. In general, however,fall philosophical and psycho-physical research up to now togetherslightly.

Admitted the cogency of the situated by me mental Maprinzipes,namely taking the measurement itself a different shape and a different

value, depending on whether one highlighted various laws and formulasfor the functional relationship between stimulus and sensation in theouter psychophysics, and represents the relationship between intellectualand physical side represents itself differently in us, according as weunderstood the functional relationship between two different, while

passing in a different way from the outer to inner psychophysics. In bothrelationship but I have to speak probably more of enemy as consentingassessing established by my views, laws, principles and formulas; yesthere are so many sites and been raised from so manifold, partly

theoretical and partly experimental point of objections against then tosay that of all my, laboriously erected, psychophysical system so nostone would remain upon another.


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Apart from one, already at the end of my items in a night Rageconsidered, Einwurfe of Helmholtz me are ever more or less profoundobjections known by Aubert, Mach, amber, plateau, Delbceuf, Brentano,herring, long. The most versatile and perhaps most translucent stir in anycase of herring ago, and have not failed to make partly because of the

respectable authority of its author, partly because of their ingenuity,partly because of the firmness with which they are expressed, a greatimpression. The principles laid down by myself as fundamental laws arehereafter not only a priori unlikely, but also inferred incorrectly from thefacts are demonstrably wrong, yes, they were correct, they would justifya confused and rational teleology contradictory view of the outsideworld. The thing is from the ground up to handle differently. Long,which includes the number of opponents known to me, herring indicatesfullness and sharpness of the objections by little, and finally comes to a

Delbceuf though, with mine in the same form, in whole, in the meaning,but quite different, measurement formula, and summarizes, in his firstessay (the Etude) raised opposition in the third (the Revue p 241st) itselfas follows: The Fechner law (Magesetz) is untenable from amathematical point of view. It leads to absurd conclusions, and themanner in which it is found (establish itself), not even granted the mindno clear idea of what may be the quantity of a sensation, therefore, howit can be represented by a number, "etc.

After all 'I can my main opponents only be grateful, and equip them

this hereby assign and if they do have insgemein initiated the oppositionto my teaching with benevolent expressions, and in particular I feelBrentano and herring for committed, that in a she correspondence I, myquest to keep the discussion within the limits of a purely scientificcontroversy are done with them over their objections come to meet infriendly ways.

But how do I make my part of the barrage of partially translucentfactually devastating objections against the doctrine I represent over? - Ido not mean yet that it is so bad then about the same as it would seem for

the first sight. Yes, to the determination of my opponents, thoughbescheidnere something to counter decisively, I think after consideringall I have become known objections that teaching in all fundamental

points so far upright than I is most likely see that it has been set up can,and keep it at the same time, inthat it will continue to not changemoney. Express myself even harder to prevent the major difficulties ofteaching, but I find them in any contrary view of the fundamental pointsgreater than in the mine, and the confidence in this self has grown on mein that I find it, which does not prevent recognize the ingenuity of some

objections - many others could have been due to some consideration andcan save me - and to make concessions to each relationship.

But we put the case that my doctrine, to which has directed all still


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pretty much dispute as the starting point of all dispute until now, wouldreally dismissed the objections raised against what would be theresult? That the enemy now more so fought against each other, sincetheir teachings more than the mine almost contradict each other, butalmost all of the more or less evaded in different directions. Just read the

fourth section. Thus, psychophysics would be in danger after only justover boasted about the exact name of a doctrine of philosophy, whosequarrel just to share. Now it would be nice if the new controversy bysuperfluous would be that the first would prove to be unnecessary, that itcould be shown that no more adequately reason to leave basic views thatthe first structure of the teaching has supported.

In the direction thereon is this scripture written and in this sense I taketo the dispute with the opponents, but there renouncing to come backalso on the dispute, in which I or about the common points of the

doctrine of the relations between body and soul with this thatphilosophical direction and mostly located with the prevailing view. Oneis inclined not to allow the animation to humans and animalsalso. Dissolve the mental activities of a certain points go from the

physical base. One thinks the soul sitting in a simple point in thebrain. I'm in all these view points of others, but believe in some chaptersof my items and my philosophical writings have already said enoughabout enough also to prove how far my views differ from materialisticand irreligious. The scope and design of psychophysics is by no means

independent of the views on these points, but on the contrary, yet it doesnot push for now, going into details, because this doctrine does notproceed from the most general, but some very peculiar facts and laws.

Against some opponents of the above way, I have been previouslypublicly or privately expressed myself so thoroughly against Aubertespecially in the reports of schs Soc. 1864 1 ff, provisionally againstDelbceuf in a display of his Etude psychophysique in Jen. Lit-time. No.1874. 28; also discussed in detail and compared against Brentano herringin a correspondence that I performed in several letters with them

privately to contact me before the public discussion as much as possiblewith them. However, since it led to no stated agreement, so I have toconsult now with my counter-objections to their objections to the general

public, and which, I hope, that the said authors will not find anyindiscretion in it when I'm on some, to complete their objections serving,written statements of the same folgends take with respect.

Dies ist der Cardo rei fr dieGewinnung des psychischenMaes.

Contribuu a millorar la traducci

II I've established psychophysical laws and formulas to their

representation will be mainly here, with the main objections against

Text original


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established.

1) Emerging Act (in Elem. I. 238 less apt referred to as the fact of thethreshold) says that a sensation as a difference between sensations notonly imperceptibly is for consciousness, when the stimulus or stimulusdifference, they depend on a zero value of the action has come down, but

even at a finite value of the same for consciousness fades. This finitevalue of the stimulus or stimulus difference, which must be exceeded fora distinction of sensation or sensations takes place, I call the threshold,difference threshold, respectively. But unless it continues after followinglaws on matters not so much that a certain absolute difference of thestimuli, but a to the charms of a certain standing relationship, shortrelative difference, or things related to it, a certain ratio of the stimuliwould be exceeded in order a difference of stimuli is noticeable, one canspeak of a ratio threshold of stimuli also instead of a difference

threshold. Where now the stimulus, relative stimulus difference, thestimulus money to in the previous sense, is above or below the threshold,it is said also of the associated simple difference or feeling that she wason, over or under the threshold.

2) Weber's law (Elem. I. 134 ff, in II . 9 ff for smaller differencesrepresented by the fundamental formula), so named by me because it isfirst expressed in a certain generality by EH Weber, refers to thedependence of the differences, changes or Zuwchse a sensation ofwhich the triggering stimulus it, and says that the differences or changes

Zuwchse of sensation to stay the same, not when the absolute, but if therelative differences, changes or Zuwchse of the stimulus remain thesame, by a relative increment in the absolute increment divided by thesize of the stimulus to which the increment takes place, ofcourse. Mathematics depends By previous laws together the following,and can therefore be equally valid pronounced as Weber's law: Thedifference of two stimuli appear equal in size to the sensation when theratio of the stimuli remains the same, both may increase or decrease theabsolute values of when it only happens just in the same proportion.

. 3) Magesetz of sensation (in Elem II I2 ff by the mass formularepresents), a mathematical way of Weber's law and emerging lawsderived, refers to the dependence of the sensation magnitude itself of thesize of the stimulus and says: that the Size of sensation is proportional tothe logarithm of, dlividierten by its threshold stimulus, or if you take thethreshold as a stimulus unit, simply proportional to the logarithm of thestimulus, which depends on the feeling grows. Decreases the stimulus

below the threshold, so does the feeling (after the mass formula)negative, interpreted by me as unconscious values.

. 4) Magesetz the sensation difference (in Elem H. 89 et seq, by thedifference formula represents), states as mere inference of the previous


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Act, that the degree of difference between two sensations proportional tothe differences of the logarithmic degree of both sensations, andtherefore - since the difference of the logarithms of two quantities isequal to the logarithm of the ratio of both quantities is - that it is thelogarithm of the quotient of the two stimuli is proportional to the

sensations which depend. Now it should be noted and Elem. ll. 82 discussed in detail that adifference between two sensations can exist without being perceived as adifference yet, so if the sensations fall into different people or fall intothe same people at different times so that the first one is forgotten whenthe other occurs or is directed only to one of them the attention, or,finally, if the difference between the two stimuli is too small. To trulycalled as perceived difference or difference in perception, and contrastsensation from me to appear, ie specific conditions have to be fulfilled,

which need not be met for the mere difference of two sensations, justfeeling the difference, giving the following laws and the same expressiveis formula room.

5) Magesetz the difference or contrast sensation (in Elem. II 96 ffthrough the Unterschiedsmaformel represented), says that the size orstrength of the difference in sensation, in so far as it depends on the sizeratio of the stimuli, so the rest equated is proportional to the logarithm ofa quotient, the numerator to be distinguished by the ratio of the twostimulus sizes whose denominator but by the threshold value of this ratio

which is the value in which the perception of the difference vanishes,and above which it appears remarkably short by the ratio threshold isillustrated.

Hot generally a sensation size , the stimulus area, which itdepends , the threshold value of the stimulus, wherein the sensation toexceed only be markedly occurs b,and may beK,kconstants that areindependent of the size of sensation and irritation . Where it is necessaryto distinguish different sensations and stimuli, it is done by hanging

dashes. Was also briefly the relationship between two stimuli , thethreshold stimulus this ratio v and the size of the difference insensation u, then the previous laws express in the following

formulas:

1) threshold formulas:b == Const. , v == const.

2) fundamental formula for expression of Weber's law for

sensation differences, changes, Zuwchse of small size:


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after an expression of the law, where , very small changes mean,or generally, for any sensation and stimulus sizes

wherefis a general function characters, after another form ofexpression.

3) Mass formula for mass of sensation size :

or when, what can happen under certain conditions, k = 1 and b = 1 is simply

= log

4) Difference formula for mass the size of a sensation difference

*) The constant kcoincides with the constantKtogether the fundamentalformula, if one uses natural logarithms, however, when applying

ordinary logarithms , when withMis called the modulus of thecommon logarithmic system. From the fact that the logarithm of a true

break is negative, followed by negative values offor valuesof, which are smaller than the threshold.

5) Unterschiedsmaformel, to the extent of difference or contrast

sensation u


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In regard to the derivation and mutual relationship previous laws andformulas may be noticed to, given in the elements, yet the followingexplanations. Weber's law is expressed in relation to perceptiondifferences, but the attempts relied on by Weber's law, just go directly to

perceived differences or difference of sentiments in the sense of theabove distinction (see above). However, it is likely entitled to thatsensation differences would remain the same when the perceiveddifferences remain the same and all that co-determines the differencesensations except the stimulus differences remains the same, what should

be worn in the experiments in support of Weber's law. Without thisnatural condition, on the 5th Section will be the occasion to come backregarding an objection would be, not to pass from the experiments of aMagesetze of sensation.So while Weber's law in relation to perception

differences (in its expression by the fundamental formula) with thethreshold laws together is the mathematical basis for the derivation ofother formulas, it is in its relationship to the difference sensations theexperimental basis of which, by experiential of its validity has to close inrecent relationship itself only on its validity in the first relationship.

Depending on one or other relationship now you can from him byconsultation of the threshold laws provide both the measurementformula, and thus solidarity difference formula as to reachUnterschiedsmaformel as follows.

The fundamental formula can be interpreted as anexpression of Weber's law, regardless of the relationship both ways, alsowrite

unless any size, including , can be taken mathematically replaced bya difference of two their similar sizes. This is of natural logarithms:

But you can Const. for two different cases determine different, first, bythe simple threshold presupposes laws that = 0 if to certain finitevalue b has what the mass formula

there, and if hereafter also , is there a difference


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formula , which is reckless on a comparison ofboth sensations for their real difference, and secondly, by for thecase that its size by comparing both sensations, that can enter anew act of consciousness, presupposes the law of difference or

ratio threshold that - = 0, if a certain finite

value v has what Unterschiedsmaformelare. Through the transition from natural to common logarithmseventually transformed (by the View Notes. Above)Kin k

Although the previous laws and formulas for the relationship between

sensation and stimulus, that is, for the outer psychophysics, arepronounced, it explicitly noted that it is, for this relationship, apart fromthe ubiquitous signature threshold law, only with more or lessapproximation preferably, proven within the limits of ordinary sense use;hypothetical but by me as strictly valid for the relationship, between

perception and psychophysical activity, - hereby viewed as fundamentalto the inner psychophysics - so that the latter can be substituted for thecharm in previous laws and formulas are. This is the one related to the

psycho-physical activity, view threshold as an absolute constant for a

given type of sensations in the outer psychophysics, but the one relatedto the stimulus threshold value only insofar as constant as the irritabilityitself receives constant, ie when the stimulus of the same thickness alsoalways triggers the same psycho-physical activity; whereas according asthe irritability decreases, exhausted, so less and less psycho-physicalactivity is triggered by the stimulus, the threshold value of the stimulusincreases, if the stimulus itself must grow more and more to bring the

psycho-physical activity on their constant threshold, which allows to usethe mass formula, used to assess changes in excitability. Reasons

mannichfacher kind, which can borrow a deviation from the establishedlaws in experiments in the domain of express psychophysics, which willbe enough opportunity to speak, ever fall off the inner psychophysics.

So I now continue even make a distinction between of experimentaland fundamental validity of laws and formulas, a difference which isunfortunately often neglected, it is to be understood as meaning that thevalidity expressed in the first sense to corroborability by observations orexperiments in psychophysics, can be obtained in the second sense ofaccuracy for the inner psychophysics.

The degree of sensation is not to be confused with a degree ofsensitivity. As a measure of sensitivity for a given kind of stimuli is after


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the clashes in the elements (I. 45 ff) the reciprocal of the stimulus, thenoticeably appear the same for the sensation as a measure of the absolutedifference in sensitivity of the absolute stimulus difference equal tonoticeably appears as a measure of the relative difference in sensitivity,depending on whether one wants to believe it, the reciprocal value of the

relative difference or the ratio of the stimuli, their difference appearsequally noticeable.

In so far as confirmed Weber's law, the absolute sensitivity of theabsolute growth stimulus difference decreases more and more, however,the relative remains the same.

As the main objections, which have asserted against the list ofprevious laws and formulas, the following should be emphasized:

1) That these laws and formulas do not agree with the facts, it is that

they are derived from the same inaccurate (Abschn.V) is it that theexperiments rather than deviations arise confirmation was Minister ofEducation (XVI) was. Especially in these relationships has experiencedchallenges Weber's law, but this law falls, so fall as well as derived laws.

2) That, can still speak of an experimental confirmation of the laws inquestion, so for the outer psychophysics to the extent that the same areyet transferred untriftig into the inner psychophysics by a logarithmicdependence of the sensation of her immediately underlying psycho-

physical activities, such as Such consists of the mass formula for the

sensation regarding the stimulus, a priori, is unacceptable. Instead, as isdone by us, the perception of the psycho-physical activity log to think ofthese stimuli in a simple proportion depends, rather, the reverse is to beassumed (VIII).

3) That our laws and formulas include conceptual and mathematicalUntriftigkeiten, and especially the negative sentiment values, whichleads to our mass formula for stimulus values below the threshold are not

permitted (X).

4) The fact that a clear conception of the conditions of the outsideworld and rational teleology with our laws can not stand (VII VIII).

5) That hereafter to leave, the mathematical expression of thepsychophysical laws established by me either formulas or modify it, or ifits form, maintain, significantly different than done of me to suggest, let(IV).

Part of the opponents share in these objections, some of them meeteach other there, without, however (apart from about Plateau andBrentano) to meet the established positive counter views.


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III. Literature folgends preferably to be considered objections

and conflicting views.

Where to find future annexed to the name of an author, aPaginaverweisung, it refers to the folgends designated essay or copy

thereof, in particular herring where none of his communications isparticularly referred to the first asked, mainly to be considered treatise.

A drawback with citation of the papers from the Vienna meetingreports is that the separate copies of these papers, which are sent by theauthors to professional colleagues, are paginated all from 1 to, hereafternot agree in the number of pages in general with the volumes of theProceedings, worein they include, as an evil that would prevent myopinion. I will quote separately for the deduction, after which the course,which only the volumes of reports are available to bids that

Paginaverweisungen can not find provoking.Helmholtz , "physiologist. appearance" p. 312 ff of this, published onlyin the year 1867 I was already works in 1860, approached the upcomingfirst issue considered here by kindness of the author, so I put it hereahead of time by.

Aubert , "Physiology of the retina," 1865. p. 49 ff

Mach , no 1 "Over time the meaning of the ear," in Proceedings of theVienna. 51st Vol 1865, and no 2 "On the physiological effect of spatially

distributed light stimuli" ebendas. 68th Bd in 1868.Bernstein, no.1 - "The Theory of Fechner's law of sensation" in theReichert-Dubois'schen archive in 1868. p.388 ff and no.2, a special font:"Studies on the process of excitation in nerve and muscle systems",1871. p. 166 ff

Plateau , Bulletin de l'Acad. de Belgique. T. XXXIII . , 1872, thereof inPoggendorfs Ann. CL. St. 3 In 1873. p. 465th - An earlier note inComptes rendus. T. LXXV. p .677 In 1872. - A later report on Delbceuf'stude psychophysique in the first Bulletin 2 Ser. p. 250 ff

Delbceuf , no l tude psychophysique, Bruxelles, F. Hayez. In1873. (Also T. XXIII Mm. I'Acad de. Roy. De Belgique). - No 2 Theorygener, de la sensibilit. Bruxelles, Hayez. 1876 -. 3 no A treatise "La loi

psychophysique, herring contre Fechner" in the Revue Philosophique dela France et de I'Etranger par Ribot, Paris. Bailiire. In 1877.p. 225 ff -I'm above three short treatises as floor, Theor. quote and rev.

Brentano , "Psychology from an empirical standpoint." Th 1 In1874. p. 9, 87 ff

Herring , "On Fechner's psychophysical law" in Vienna. Report 72 Bd in1875. This the hereafter preferably to be considered treatise. But are also


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more or less in Mitrcksicht following, by the author as messages "to theteaching of the light sense" designated and numbered according to theirchronological order, all in the Vienna meeting reports contained essays:no 1 "On successive light induction" 66 Band. 3 Abth. 1872 -. No.2 "bythe simultaneous contrast of light."

68th Band. In 1873. - No 3 "On simultaneous induction light."68th Band. In 1873. - No 4 "on the so-called intensity of the sensation oflight and the sensation of black."

69th Bd in 1874. - No 5 "Outline of a theory of the light sense."

69th Bd 1874.-no. 6 "Outline of a theory of color perception."

69th Bd in 1874.

Long , "Fundamentals of psychophysics, a critical examination." In

1876. Jena, Dufft.

Ich werde nach denSeparatabzgen zitieren,wonach dann freilich die,

welchen nur die Bnde der Berichte zu Gebote stehen, die Paginaverweisungen nicht stimmendfinden knnen.Contribuu a millorar la traducci

IV Clear demonstration of the opponents

(Helmholtz, Aubert, Mach, amber, plateau, Brentano, herring, long).

After seeing the close of the second Section provides an overview ofthe main objections that have been directed against those responsible,laws and formulas here, I let the overview of opponents, of which theseobjections are assumed to follow order of time. As far as can be done inrelative brevity, I share here each author directly at what's coming to him

both of interjections as positive views, and reply, which I find to say tothat, in so far as it requires further remarks, is to refer to the

sequence . The formulas that provide the opponent for the mine are listedin activations.

Unless something else is explicitly noted, the degree of sensation iseverywhere with , the dimension of the stimulus with known, andare c , k,Kto understand the stimuli independent constants. In general,the terms used by the authors in their formulas areBuchstabenbezeichungen amended several times (with indication).

Helmholtz and Aubert.

Helmholtz and Aubert argue that the experimental deviations from

Text original


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Weber's law in the areas of light sensation after their attempts to go muchfurther than I after all antecedent trials had reason to accept what itHelmholtz does not prevent the approximate character of the law, onwhich it in the only thing that matters express psychophysics to establishconclusions about the inner essential to recognize, whereas Aubert law

ever declared not applicable. Meanwhile, I have already shown theabove places that Aubert's own tests still prove the approximation of thelaw beyond the limits of ordinary eyes beyond use, and will in the16th Section with specific information back to that. About theestablished formulas of Helmholtz and Aubert following activation areaccountable.

Helmholtz's first and foremost (p. 313) to cover the bottom, ie, afterthe kiddies stimulus values towards taking place, experimental deviationfrom Weber's law one with the drawn up by myself for this purpose

formula (Elem. II 195) matching formula, but in order to cover the top,to the greater stimulus values towards taking place, along with deviation,as it provides differential formula (only with use of other letters) to thefollowing formula:

(1)

where c , a ,A are constants independent of stimuli, a particular a smallvalue, which measures the stimuli independent from the inner emotion,

and against considerable values of noticeably disappears, A a verylarge value, against which values of that are not are very large (moreso a disappearing). Where now a to , while againstAdisappears, this

formula goes over into our simple fundamental formula byourKrepresents. Taking into account only the lower deviation, ieneglected toA , we arrive at our above mentioned representative, thisdeviation formula in Elem. II 195

By integration we obtain from (1) the following mass formula

For extremely large values of, where not only a , but also Adisappears, however, occurs Const. as the maximum of sensation on,what if this maximum G is,

Further, letg, the value of, the virtue without the charm only theinner excitement a takes place, one has on the other hand, I notice in


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passing,

what are

after which there is an expression of the difference between maximumand miminum of sensations

the coefficient but a toA can be ignored.

The maximum value of the relative difference in sensitivity is found inaccordance with the above formulas , ie the geometric mean

between a andA by the ratio of which, according to

(1) is taking, and of these known pathways investigated inthe maximum value.

Aubert p. 68 his results sought empirically within certain limits to

represent the assumption that the values (by Aubert as designated)that are just noticeably, in the inverse ratio of the logarithms of arewhen the logarithm of at a certain lowly values of as the associated

value of puts, and, starting from this lowly values of , it is in twotables of two series of experiments a comparison of observation andstatement, from the simple to the 100-fold -rich, with the remark thatthe differences between observation and calculation does not exceed thelimits of error of monitoring across to get you. However, one can see thatin this comparison, the differences of an almost regular way withincreasing from the negative to positive transition, and at the highest

contemplated , instead of the required calculation , values

to occur. Finally to remember is that in the one adopted by Aubert asa unit, weak output value of so impossible as it happens by the

brightness of the inner eye black could be neglected 1) , wanted to cometo a rational formula. Also Aubert himself admits (p. 56) that his


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assumption for very small values of not zureicht, and are therefore thesame as explicitly only one, for that limited portion of his attemptsempirically useful.

1) In fact, in one of two tables , in the other as a unit of the

just noticeable accepted will receive at light intensities , awhite board which was lit by one, at the distance of 2 meterswhich located stearin.

In order to formulate it (followed by Aubert not be admitted), youwould put:

and by Const. through, with a Const. c multiplied small, even constantsensation of just noticeable difference , as of , and

log. dependent, replaced,

thereof, after setting of

.

Allowed to apply the threshold principle, according to which , == 0

if is equal to the finite threshold b , we finally obtained as the massformula

,

which differs from our mass formula (see above) only differs in thatlog. and log. b are raised to the square. - The empirical maximum ofthe relative difference in sensitivity is given by the Aubert's formula foras little as ours.

Mach.

Mach makes my basic formulas for the outer psychophysics in areas ofintense sensations essentially apply, and is even a special little pamphlet


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(lectures on psycho-physics. Vienna, Summer, 1863) received a moredetailed discussion of the same, but denies in no 2 of I transferability ofthe formulas adopted in the inner psychophysics due to a theoreticalassumption, but after the discussions that I can not find it under VIII

binding. He also does not take after his treatise no one based on his own

experiments Weber's law applicable to the extensive time sensations,however, but the same after the 16th Section following compilation ofhis and Vierordtscher attempts namely with respect to time sensationsequally as well with regard to all sensations, a lower experimentaldeviation is subject to higher and higher but approximate enough so, thatone can hardly fail to attribute a fundamental importance to the law inthis area. - The set up in no 2, in the 11th To be discussed in sections,formulas of the author about contrast sentiments I agree with like, unlessthey prove that no experimental errors for the provability of Weber's Law

are to be feared from the effects of the contrast.Bernstein.

Although Bernstein accepts the shape of my measurement formula, butgives her a completely altered design. Instead of feeling in logarithmicfunction of the strength of the stimulus or the psychophysical action toset, it sets simply proportional to the number of brain nerve cells throughwhich as oscillation operation imaginary energization on the occurrenceof the stimulus in the brain of propagating or, assuming a uniformdispensation of these cells, simply proportional to the size of thespace S, in which these cells are present, multiplied by the density inwhich the space is filled by the cells, by assuming that a certain spacearound the entry point of excitation, no progression of, with the spreadand by the resistors become more and more slowing, agitation, ie that thespace S, absorbed. Irradiationsraum, as a limited viewing. But it dependson its deduction Saccording to the same formula of the size of thestimulus with which the excitation occurs in the brain, and thethreshold b in the sense of the author, with whom she terminates at the

boundary of the Irradiationraumes, from when to us the sensationof and b according to our version, which has the same shape of themass formula based.

So one has the sense of the author

where k is one of the specific resistance, which the ganglion cells of thepropagation of the excitation oppose dependent, depending on thesensitivity of the different individuals for different stimuli is constant.

The derivation of Bernstein's mass formula is based on someconditions that are not obvious, but since it can not speak soon, so I refer


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to it from here, especially relating thereto, 18 Section. For my part, Iwould be able the view of the author mainly not to share the followingtwo reasons: first, because I have a degree of sensation by the spread ofthe excitatory process, of which the sensation depends, without takingthe strength of excitation at each point in the measurement with not

concede would be able, and secondly, because I can not find adequatereasons for the limitation of the finite Irradiationsraumes by thededuction of the author. However, detailed here on the 15thSection andsome remarks at the end of the 18th

Plateau.

Plateau without making definite objections asserted against me says (p.471): "Fechner's formula leads to the conclusion that if the Communityillumination varies, the differences of perception remain constant, it hasgiven me to explain the constancy of the general. impression anengraving of natural seemed, a priori, to assume the constancy of theseratios and not the differences between the sensations, "and he does in thisrelationship of approaching following fact asserted:" Everyone knowsthat an engraving remains pretty much the same, you like him atsunlight, considered by gaslight or even in the sunshine. these sodifferent lights bring any substantial change in the relationships betweenthe light and dark parts out. "

By means of an analysis that I'm here, then plateau comes to thefollowing, its corresponding condition. Maformel

where kandp are constants, of whichp to plateau's remark may be lessthan 1, and must be accepted unquestionably less, to be told that thesensation in slower conditions increases as the stimulus. From previousformula follows, after setting ofkp =K,

which our fundamental formula would be to replace, and

Helmholtz interpreted the fact of fairly constant impression of a

copper engraving at different luminance levels rather in my as Plateau'ssenses, however, will be through subjective perceptions and authoritiesdecide nothing, but there is an objective Mtttel of decision in trials, suchas those for the examination of Weber's Law serve. Also plateau thatvery well seen, and, indisputably the previously applied methods or theirresults, mistrusting, even given a new (lower short to be called) test

method, which in fact psychophysical methods can be regarded as aninestimable asset, also has its practical feasibility and usefulness checkedprovisional and proven found, but as he (in consideration of his eye


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condition) the examination of the law itself does not perform, directed tobe carried out on a by means only of Delbceuf this method examination,after which he closes his subsequent relevant essay with the followingwords "If the results are to be published, you will know which of thethree formulas of Fechner worthy of Delbceuf [which under the heading

Delbceuf], or the preference of mine." In the proposed platform, later executed by Delbceuf, method, it isessential to forge, three adjacent light areasA ,B , Cin their physical

brightness as to grade each other, that in the judgment of the sensation ofbrightness difference between CandB exactly just as large asbetweenA andB appear, and carry this out through a larger scale of lightintensities, after which the bill has to do their part to test whether theratios of these intensities paste the formula to be tested sufficiently. Thatthe assessment of the point where the equality of the two differences

betweenA andB ,B and Coccurs for the performance, not subject togreat uncertainty, it is plateau had already convinced of several testsubjects, and is confirmed by Delbceuf's experiments. Also occuralready the star size estimates basically under this principle.

Well, the trials Plateau's method have since been made and publishedby Delbceuf. You decide to plateau's formula for Weber's law, and ifDelbceuf in his first treatise (tude) still believed to represent on the

basis of these experiments a modification of Weber's law, which in factequally good, but not better than the law itself agrees with his

experiments, he accepted it in his late essays pure Weber's Law, by doinga course other fundamental interpretation, as it happens to me, there.

Finally plateau itself has withdrawn a report on Delbceuf's tude onthe basis of the tests his formula with the following words: "Quant maformule par cela seul qu'elle differe de celle de M. Delbceuf il estvident, qu'elle est inexacte. " 2)

2)

I quote sent to me by a perfect message this point because I havenot read plateau's report itself.

Meanwhile remains plateau's conception of interest, provided that Other(Brentano, Ueberhorst) have come only from other sides on factorswhich lead back to the plateau's formula, how to discuss with theinscription "Brentano."

Secondary one can notice that plateau's formula contains no threshold,

after which everything speaks to Section IX for the fundamentaldetention of the same, at the same time argues against Plateau's formula.


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What the objections concerned, the plateau recently raised in histreatise "Sur les Couleurs accidentelles ou subjectives" (Bruxelles,Hayez 1875) against my views on the subjective colors, so is theirconsideration not here, and I only mention briefly that I the same fromthe following aspects not add too would be able: I mean that in the

Nachbildsversuchen not only on the light dust and other light phenomenathat happen to the Black mix in itself, but mainly on the inner light (theinner psychophysical excitation), which through the face phenomenonEye black is self-represented, is to take into account that this maydecrease due to internal reasons, especially in the circumference of after-images bright objects on a dark ground, increasing its brightness far

beyond its intermediaries value only by virtue of an organic device, notbelow a certain threshold, and that in the same sense that one can speakof a decomposition of the externally applied and internally excited by the

same light in color, no less dismantled and dismantling these must beconsidered in all experiments on subjective complementary colors. Also,I've been in my treatise on the subjective complementary colors inPogg. Ann. XLIV. Pp. 517 ff significantly pronounced in this sense, onlythere to one side as proof that regardless of express light stimuli may bean inner subjective light development, the more random light phenomenawith which the eye black can be interspersed, pointed, with which onecertainly not sufficient to explain many phenomena, and against this,however, I could see an opposition rights. However, I have. Both in theElem., As in, in the mountains d schs Soc. 1860 contained treatise oncontrast perception clear enough about the light value, which I enclosethe eyes Black himself says. - That the, with red and green paper salariedtest, the plateau p. 10 does, only then something could mean when thered and green of simple homogeneous in nature would be, should beclear: he would not itself be conclusive for this case, if one may assumethat each objective simple ink-jet a composition of color rays triggersinternally , a view with respect to the Helmholtz Young's hypothesis

pronounce, however, I kind of just in another sense, in the 14th Sectionrepresent. There are reasons for that, anyway.

Brentano.

Brentano does (p. 90) a, to be considered by me V, objection againstmy reasoning way of Weber's Law, where he will meet with otheropponents, and replaced by one that differs from mine, view of the factson which I this law reasons, the same by the following:

Meanwhile, according to Weber's law, each increment of a sensation isequally noticeable when the growth of sensation stimulus retains thesame relation to the stimuli by Brentano each increment of sensation is

equally noticeable, which reserves to the intensity of the sensation, towhich he added occurs, an equal ratio , and the relative increase in thefeeling of, if the relative increase in physical stimulus is the same the


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same.

Much the same thing but it comes out when Ueberhorst in his book:"The emergence of visual perception of Gttingen in 1876." Due to

purely psychological discussions, and assuming that the sensations ofnerve to go simply proportional, prepares the sentence: "Similar

sentiments, which are still discernable always differ by an equal fractionof its own strength from each other. "

Brentano has not expressed its law into mathematical symbols, but it isdone in the following intervention by me, and through correspondencewith him, I've made sure that that the sense in which he knows his act isreally made. It turns out that this formula and therefore the law of theauthor entirely on the Plateausche formula that Plateausche law returns,therefore, all that is said against this, also applies to the Brentano'sapplication, without which I had needed to return to it.

Be as always the sensation the stimulus,p is a constant, so this isthe fundamental law of the author:

which the mass formula

log = p log + Const.

leads. If we now set = 1 for =B , where log. = 0, we obtain Const. =-p log.B , so in general:

and from this

when is set.

In support of his law Brentano does not the same facts as the Plateau,but only facts asserted which are otherwise generally interpreted in favorof Weber's law, as such: "The fact that the increase of an inch to a lineequal noticeable than the increase of foot around the same size. " Of

course, I must confess that my derivation manner of his law has becomecompletely clear either through his writing, even from the run with himcorrespondence from such facts, and it would like to see it, and seem the


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same from others remarks 3) that the point of view from to distinguishwhich physical and psychological variables in psychophysics on the onehand, andrerseils has not clearly been present with each other to put itinto a functional relationship. Over here some remarks are turned on.

3) So if he p. 91 claimed by my method will not both a psychicmeasured as a physical phenomenon.

I believe that the distinction we have to make in this regard, and evenmake out the psychophysics implicitly everywhere, this refers to

physical sizes are either directly measurable by external measures, orwhere difficulties of direct measurement are available, but principallyattributable to such recoverable amount , psychological variables are notdirectly as measured, but only internally for equality and inequality,greater and lesser inequality, comparable, however, they do

psychophysically as a function of the physical variables on which theydepend on the basis of laws which exist for this dependence, evensubject to a degree which, though rarely experimentally feasible, but in

principle exists everywhere.

To illustrate the distinction to be made at least by way of example,serve as follows:

After an interesting remark of herring seem to be two on the paper in acertain horizontal distance distanter of each mounted points when anumber of points between them mounts, as if you leave the space

between them empty, as everyone can immediately convince when anempty and interspersed with dots horizontal distance with the same circledistance attaching to each other. Provided they meet the same circledistance, they are physically the same, however they are mentally equal.

Now you might the psychological size impression with the physicaldimensions thereby put into a functional relationship that we enlarged

the empty distance as long or with dots fulfilled so long reduced untilboth the eye immediately appeared, and so shall gain a functionalrelationship between mental equality, which can be judged mentally and

physical inequality that can be measured externally. Depending on thegreater or lesser absolute length of the lines, greater or lesser number of

points you would undoubtedly find in this regard, various conditions,and so one can even a psychophysical investigation judge it, under whatamendments, conditions, physical, di externally measurable, values anequality that depend on mental values continuously receives or recovers

(as is indeed the case of test of Weber's Law happens) which, althoughnot directly a psychological level, but rather a functional relationshipbetween the two is, from which such a measure is in principle derivable.


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The author makes also the following general remarks against mycounter psychophysical measurement gauge:

"Once - he says (p. 90) - to restrict the ability of the measurement ofintensities by the method described by Fechner entirely on such

phenomena, which are produced by external stimulation of the sense

organs for all mental phenomena, which in in physical processes inside.of the organism have their basis, ie a measure of the intensity still lack." - But it is missing, we therefore not derivable from experiments in thedomain of outer psychophysics principle of measuring psychologicalvariables according to their functional dependence of physical quantities,which is psychologically the most important thing, hereby not the

possibility of inner psychophysics, which the author denies seems toprovide.

"But more - adds the author (p. 91) added - the sensations themselvesdo not depend solely on the strength of the external stimulus, they alsodepend on mental conditions, such as on the degree of attention from it.will therefore be necessary to eliminate this influence, for my sake, byrequiring the case of the highest and fullest attention. then arises but, ifnot otherwise Inconvenientes, go at least a new and significantlimitation. "

But it is not true that the strength of a sensory phenomenon appears,still depends on the degree of attention, if the phenomenon is not onlyescapes at all the attention.Over here in the Elem. H. 452 ff said enough,and everyone can see immediately that a white or gray paper is not

bright, not a sound appears louder, like you, a more or less intense focusattention on it. But why did he disappear quite out of consciousness, ifyou do not aim? Well, you have my explanation for the 42nd Section ofthe elements, and shortly I come back to it under IX. How to find anexplanation for the enemy, they may see themselves.

Delbceuf.

Delbceuf takes his three, (see above), designated as short floor,

Theor. Rev. and to be distinguished treatises 4) a peculiar and fluctuatingposition against my theory.According to the above statement (see above),you should locate one of the most outspoken opponents against the samein him. Nevertheless, his attempts are (in La.) only a very welcomeconfirmation of Weber's Law, in an approximation, which goes muchfurther than to the Aubert's experiments, how to, his attempts to bediscussed from the 17 Section is convincing. Also recognizes Delbceufin his first treatise (Et p. 22 46) the approximate character of Weber'slaw, and only believes, partly for theoretical reasons, partly to the, in his

experiments as everywhere still remaining experimental lower deviationto cover from Weber's law, it must be modified slightly, however, hedrops in his later treatises such modification 5) .


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4) In addition to these papers, which concern us here alone,Delbceuf, an excellent of experimental and philosophicalresearchers in Belgium, also studies on treatment has logical-mathematical problems, such as published by optical illusions. Hislast published writing bears the title "Logique algorithmique Essaisur un Systeme de signes appliqu la logique avec uneintroduction ou sont les traites questions gnrales relative l'emploi dans les sciences of notations.." Bruxelles, Muquart, in1877.

5) If Delbceuf in his first paper (Et) could be accused of the samefrom the result of my attempts formula for Weber's law, the lower

deviation, which presents not the modification of the law adoptedby him there, it is merely because he ignored has that brings to meto represent this deviation, for the small value of c, which he asan addition to stimulus into account the value of the brightness ofthe eyes Black comes as such additional penalty, the Delbeoufcertainly not understood by his c, which but the calculation isindifferent.

And the same goes even as a consequence of, erected by himMagesetze permits, the formula in the form completely coincides withmy logarithmic measurement formula. However, introduced by me inthis threshold is replaced by a different value understood, which they,however, also for the application is a significantly different (see

below). By him, even in his later treatises held, theoretical objectionsmainly relate to my preparation and interpretation of negative values andsense of solidarity so that threshold, which I'm under IX and X. Becausenow Delbceuf just make herring objections to Weber's law and the

dependent logarithmic measurement formula as good as me, is Delbceufeven from the opponent in the tude an ally in the Revue in so far forme, as he having his own objections therefore give up, but at the lastherring objections opposed relationship, though generally from other

points of view, as it will be done by me.

To own positive view Delboeufs to describe briefly, in which he notonly mine, but is stopped by him earlier (in Et) prepared against suchaims in his last papers (Theor. and Rev.) after him which, as oscillatory

process presented, activity in which the sensory nerves are understood

and their size it withp referred, with the stimulating of external activity,the stimulus, the size of it withp to set called 'equilibrium, it is sensationplace as long as the balance is not achieved, positive sense (as of heat,


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light) as long as the stimulus is predominant, negative (of cold, dark) inthe opposite case. In any case, the effect of that sensation diminishes bystriving for constant stimuli preserved until equilibrium is reached, afterwhich the sensation is silent as long as the stimulus does not change.

Thereafter Delboeufs is Foundational Formula

where the degree of sensation,p 'the voice of the stimulus,p the inwardactivity is the (theoretical p. 26 30).

However, it is not a static moment, what to Delbceuf the sensationdepends, but if I understand correctly otherwise the author of the of meto taken together passages from his more recent essays, it is this:

The particles of the nerves them a naturally rightful position (Rev. p.246) and of course they are in a zukommenden vibrational states at thislocation (theoretical p. 25-26, Rev. p. 245). Also, the outer stimulus isgenerally (at least explicitly by Rev. p. 246) viewed perceived as thevibrational states. Under the influence of thep 'designated force(force) 6) of the external stimulus changes the internal state of vibration,and that the position of the particles. The change of the internalvibrational state goes after one, by the author (theoretical p 27).Formulated laws 7) so continued until his, withp labeled force thep 'is

the express vibrational state become equal, and changes the position ofthe particles to counter a resistance they encounter when leaving theirnatural position, until the growing resistance to the deviation has comeinto equilibrium with the changing force. In theory, the author refers tothe change of the internal vibrational state, in the Revue (p. 246) tochange the situation. In any case, the condition of the nerve under theinfluence of a stimulus with which it has set itself back into balance, astate of tension is comparable. But the sensation is proportional to thework (travail) T, with this change of the internal vibrational state and the

position of the particles takes place (theoretically P. 47, Rev. P.246), andthis workTis (theoretically p. 47), comparable to that at which thechange in the pressurep and volume Va, enclosed in a cylinder with amovable piston, gas mass takes place at a constant temperature, when the

pressurePin the pressurep 'and v to v 'is converted by this

where c is a constant. 8)

6) In so far as I can follow the author, here is the force brought into


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play only by the effects which he ascribes to her, and characterizedby comparisons of him. That he understands the vital force ofvibrations below, I do not say, but is probably to think of nothingAndres.

7) Letp 'is constant, andp force weaker than initially =p have

been, then the time t, in whichp top went up, itswhere k is constant.

8) Namely: "Letp the pressure, v is the volume (expressed by theheight of the gas when it is enclosed in a cylinder), one has[Mariottischem by law]:pv . Be = const twork, it is be "

from which it draws:

and by v with respect to its functionp replaced:

Without the action of a stimulusp 'is (by theor. p. 31), the sentientbeings in a natural state of equilibrium (quilibre naturel), comparable tothat in which a, outspread on a violin string is when it is left toitself. This state of the string, but must be distinguished from the state ofthe voltage u of the equilibrium (quilibre de tension), where the string islocated, if it is kept away by an external force from its natural position,

and with letzterm state is the state of sentient being comparable ifp bythe action ofp has set 'with this balance. Now there is a maximum andminimum ofp , which can not be exceeded by one and the other, withoutthe body suffers, as the string breaks when you too stressed by removalfrom their natural position. The natural state of equilibrium is located inthe middle between the two boundaries. The sensual sensation is(according to theor. 31 34 43 ff) accompanied either by a feeling offatigue, exhaustion of pain, or a feeling of well-being, pleasure,according as it is more of a two limits, or more to the natural stateapproaches. This feeling is mixed (.. According to theor p 32) alwayswith the feeling and is usually quite masked by them, but if the formerfeeling is too strong, it masks itself the sensation, it disappears then so to


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speak, and makes the pain area. Developed for this feeling, the author oftheoretical views formulas (p. 32 ff), but what I do not want to go intohere.

Is built by wesentlichst Delboeufs basic view and a formula to the veryfact that the sensation at constant stimuli is diminished, and this can even

go up to the extinction of the sensation 9) , explains, or rather theynaturally covers this fact excellent, but met however other sodifficulties.

9) According to us this fact depends on the fact that under theinfluence of a continuous stimulus of the source of the psycho-

physical activity can be triggered by more and more exhausted, sothat under these circumstances - because generally, for example in

the Lichteinpflndung, it is even not the case - can be pushed downto the threshold, and even up under the same.

Applicability of Delboeufs view and formula on the innerpsychophysics seems excluded in principle from the outset, because allsensation of changes in an interiorp by an externalp is' dependent; alsois Delbceuf not deal with such an application, but may herein unless areessential difficulty, so you might as well by external irritation of thenervous system within our body, namely, to speak of the other organic

systems here, and make thereof such as, without existence of objectivestimuli arising, depending on subjective feelings. However Delboeufsformula can miss the threshold, whereas we compare the remarks underIX. - It also brings temperature sensations with light and soundsensations under such a common viewpoint that follows, information to

be made between, difference does not come into its own. Between thesensation of cold and heat, there is a state of zero temperature sensation,not just as between the sensation of black and white a zero state of thesensation of light, nor between the sensation of silence and noise, a zero

state of sensorineural. I mean, the dependencies of temperature sensationof the temperature expressed are factually different from the express tolight and sound stimuli to impose conditions on the dependence of thelight-and sensorineural them the same formula.

However, the main objection seems to lie in following me. The graylight always gives us a positive feeling that we may pass from prolongedviewing of white or black to it, and indeed, except that if the first eye isfatigued as second rate, the same positive light sensation. Byconsequence of view and Delboeufs formula but gives us the first gray if

a sensation from the opposite second character as appropriate, if anegative first, second, if a positive feeling. Because in order to have thesensation of white, this hasp of the eye 'to the White approach, the more


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so the longer the white was considered, so that it finally about thepp 'must have ascended the later considered gray, which the condition ofa negative perception of the gray is. In the transition from black to grayAll in the opposite direction. Well you will certainly really feel intransitions from white to gray, that the gray a loss of brightness against

the whites, and in the opposite direction of the transition that has anincrease of brightness against the black, but that's just a matter of feelinga difference. The perception of brightness of the gray itself remains thesame, the same number as 2 remains, one may of 1 or 3 above go towhen they have found it to 1 in the positive, compared to negative3. Now Delbceuf can reply that he did but set only contrast sensations;however, I mean, it was a sensation in their own strength, and todistinguish the ratio of plus and minus its power to other sensations. Forwhere is the ratio between the plus and minus take place when you fail

the sensations themselves a strength, there is nothing to it since then. Infact Delbceuf but it seems to me that what is the only thing differencesensation with what is a matter of absolute sensation to be confused, ormixed. I have for the Unterschiedsmaformel that, for this simplemeasurement formula. Delbceuf has only one formula for both.

By previous following is related: Since there is no light still pooreravailable under the blackest black, to which one could go from there,then the sensation of pure black, where it exists, to Delbceuf only ever anegative character through their relationship with the sensation of a

greater brightness which has acted sooner have, but follows up the veryweak, but still positive, value of the sensation of light, the black onuntern has end of the spectrum of light sensations with continuoustransitions through shades of gray to white, not to his rights .

One problem I find is that I am able to give me any real idea how everthere can be a lasting sensation of black to Delbceuf, and the sensation of

black is still a distinct feeling of nothingness. Set, it is to me pitch dark,but I can make the sensation of black still conditional upon the inner, Iagree, moreover, the eyes, a light stimulus from the outside world is not

asp my visual apparatus ofp and 'in the environment differed thetransitions fromp to equilibria withp 'came the sensation of black. But itcan not last forever, until it occurred; why I drive it away forever, blackto see why does the sensation not the same at least, since After fallingequilibrium stop the sensation and is to diminish in thetransitions. Delbceuf course gives examples to be felt that a continuouscontinuous continuous uniform noise finally stops, but his explanation ofit should be adequately, they would just fit both light and sound.

Yes, why is it that we can feel its brightness for a whole day? Delbceuf

explained it, I understand him to theor. p. 39 right to do so. There arearound us objectively brighter and darker, and we say simple observationhalf white and black. Would the eye quite motionless in the same


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proportion to it, and did not change the outward brightness relationsthemselves, the sensation of white as the black would gradually stopusing thep at any point of the eye with thep sat 'of the voice falling onthe light balance . But the eye is changing from white to black and viceversa over and over, or even black and white change externally in their

relation to the same locations of the retina, and so it is not a permanentbalance and changes of positive and negative character of the sensationof light to the same place. But this should be possible, then we wouldhave in the transitions between positive and negative states repeatedlynothing or almost nothing to do with this and see those places of theretina, however, we see it with any part of the retina during an entire daysomething. (See also Section XII of this.)

Wants to be, however, the contrast makes itself felt, for exampleneighborly between white and black, in my opinion just as much

considered, and finally I find the contrast of Delbceuf only a sensationwith the sensation as previous account of influence on the value ofsensation .

These are difficulties that made me reckless Delboeufs on theoreticalpremises from which I can simply say that I find nothing Binding facthinder its mass formula and the exploitation manner concur.

Since its Delbceuf so estimable attempts in the 17th Will be tocommemorate section has discussed with relation to its earlier view inthe tude, will therefore not be avoided, even on our side of beingreferred to, the following may be mentioned in brief above.

Also in the tude assumes Delbceuf that each sense organ, apart froma voice stimuli, already is internally excited, but leaves this innerturmoil, the size of it with c known to play a very different role than toits current view ofp plays. In itself this inner excitement granted c afterhim no sensation, but provides merely "to fond vivant et sensitive" forthe emergence of such, according to which he c not, as happens in thevisual sensation of me with the brightness of Black eyes, from which he

wants to know about all abstracts identified. Instead, that thep of themodern view of the outward stimuli is highly variable and may increaseit up to equivalence, Delbceuf leads ratherc as an always smallremaining constant in its formulas, with the concession that theconstancy in Try not to completely stands the test.

To comply with avoiding threshold and negative sentiment values tothe observations as possible, is hereafter Delbceuf (tude p 34, 35).:


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whereKis a constant.

Herring.

Hering's objections are so versatile that according to the very generalsummary of the latter (see above) to a specific Demonstration same

refrain here only in the following sections - and almost over and in eachof them you will find his name - going into details. In fact, he has all thepsychophysical perception theory - so far, in particular concerning thearea of the sensations of light, but with the prospect of enlargementasked - trying to redesign from the ground up, and is therefore also

positiverseits came into conflict with my views. In his fifth and6 Msgs. He is a chemical theory of light sensations, and if indeed thequite well represented by the discussions under the XIII, by me,Oszillationsansicht tolerate, but it is not after the manner of the author'sversion. But predominantly makes the contradiction of his views againstthe mine in the manner claimed, as he (in s 4 msgs.) Conceives therelation of the sensations of black and white, where the sensation of

black to him just as positive as that of the White, and the differentdegrees of brightness perception are representable by composition ofvarious degrees of sensation of black and white.

In so far herring at all the concept of intensity still holds on perceptionof light and other sensations to be applicable, it sets it (to p. 21 of hisfolgends mainly to be considered treatise), simply proportional inaccordance with Mach and so many others, the underlying psycho-

physical activity instead, as is done in logarithmic dependence of me.

On the one directly related to my views and objections herringformulas I go to a majority of the following sections (V. VI VII VIII.)One, on his views on the sensations of black and white under XIV, XVIIItests under his weight. The most common aspects of herring chemicaltheory can be found in his own words in the following activation,Spezialeres in the Appendix to XIV, while I give the floor to my XIII andXIV, which differs considerably, View. Own psychophysical formulas to

my knowledge has not been established if you do not want to count hisideal formulas for the composition of the sensation of gray from those ofblack and white such as herring.

"The two qualities of sensation, which we refer to as white or light anda black or dark correspond (according to Hering's 5th Mitt p. 9), twodifferent qualities of chemical events in the visual substance, and thedifferent ratios of clarity or intensity with which those two feelings in theindividual transitions between pure white and pure black and prominent,or the circumstances in which they appear mixed to match the same

ratios of the intensities of these two psychophysical processes. " . . . "We need to take a substance in the nervous Sehapparate, whichundergoes a change under the influence of the incident light, and this


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change, it may can be characterized physically as they wanted, lies inhow the nervous physiology must assume both a chemical process. hasthe effect of light stopped so returns the modified (more or less "" tired,"") substance earlier or return later in their original condition. This returncan again be nothing else than a chemical change in the opposite

direction. If you want the under interpret the direct influence of lightoccurring chemical modification of the excitable substance as a partialconsumption, it must be called a return to the former condition as arestitution, you want to the former as a fission process, one must latterregarded as a synthetic process, the last process , replaced by which theliving organic matter loss suffered by excitement or activity again, youwont be described as assimilation, and I want to keep this expression.During arousal or activity now forms every living excitable or organicmatter is generally assumed certain chemical products. The development

of these products I will describe as analogous to the process ofdissimilation. " . . .

"The sensation of the White or Bright now corresponds dissimilation,the sensation of black or dark assimilation of visual substance .... Whatcomes to us as a visual sensation to consciousness is the mental correlateof the conscious expression or metabolism of the visual substance."

About the further execution of these sentences is to Hering's 5th and6 Mitt salvation itself and to refer the Annex to Section XIV.

Long.

Langer joins several times the objections of Helmholtz, Aubert andherring, performs those according to some relations further and adds hisown objections, especially to my view of the negative sentiment valuesand threshold, added, after which he indeed leaves a logarithmicmeasurement formula still apply, but these significantly different shape,as has been done by me.

Entering into a subject in later sections (V. VI. X) such objectionsLanger's, which he more or less coincides with other opponents, I

believe it now for only those in the eye, which are peculiar to him. 1) As a very fundamental objection he raises against those flowingfrom my Maformel, negative sentiment values for stimulus levels

below the threshold of the following:

"The negative sentiment values must be those that additively combinedwith equally large positive, enter the value 0 in all circumstances;., Thisonly corresponds to the terms of the antithesis of the positive andnegative - would think it is a finite stimulus, the sensation out were

calling, and another stimulus, less than the threshold, the sensation- out were calling, we should have the simultaneous effect of bothstimuli evoke the sensation of 0 if the relationship should exist at all, and


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each contrast this approach comes into its own, because it definition.represents the antithesis of the positive and negative magnitudes. "

Now it is true, if I have the two stimuli = nb and = where nis arbitrary, b is the threshold, let act for themselves, they give

(in my Maformel ) the sensations + and - , if I do but

together as nb + let act, instead of feeling 0, but the

sensation that is greater than each of the two

sensations klog n and klog for themselves. But it is not a strange

demand that they should give zero to the formation of negative feelingtowards the positive values as a function of to find justified. Not whenthe correct definition of the contrast of positive and negative (in absolutevalue by the same) variables is that both together give zero, it followshowever that in functional dependence of the same of other values, thefunction of the sum of these values is equal to zero was. For example:

The trigonometric functions cos. 0 and cos. 180 are in themathematical opposites as +1 and - 1, by going along 0th Now we addthe angle 0 to 1800, and take the cosine of the result, we have not 0, as

long calls, but -

1 So one may also not demand that are

mathematical in contrast, that the stimulus ndwith the stimuli , takentogether, give the sensation of zero.

2 Long suppressed (p. 58) that, by our fundamental formula (seeabove)

Weber's law expressed only with other characters and the same as in anyother position of

u = k

where u the just noticeable stimulus difference , and kthe, for

constant constant value our formula represents, and finds the law

inadequate, both because the value of the experiments, in particular


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by Aubert, with increasing for a certain value of a minimum value(hereby the relative difference in sensitivity has a maximum value) isobtained, secondly, "because the law is in contradiction with the fact ofthe threshold, as the just noticeable stimulus difference must pass thethreshold, if is the smaller of the just noticeable stimulus

difference u visual stimuli. " What now arrives Erstres so of course does not cover the Weber's law,established as fundamental for inner psychophysics, the occurrence ofthat minimum value, but before you entering this makes itselffundamentally against Weber's law must in any case to examine onlywhether or not to the experimental deviations heard that can not evencover the fundamental law. Against my 6th Section held view that it

belongs to is debatable, however. Now, if even just long had the intentionto establish an experimental formula true, what one remains in doubt, but

could have been much more than the fact that recording is in its formulato it to justify experimental, but just so much more than is found inLanger, to make the non-inclusion of that fact in the empirical, asfundamentally established, Weber's law against the same law.

As to the second, then the fact of the threshold contradicted by Weber'slaw only after a concept of threshold, which significantly differs fromours, and related to Langer's objections against our negative sentimentvalues, about which a few words in the following activation.

The demand Langer's that for = 0, the value u equal to become thethreshold, so that with the fact that he does not, how does a zero value ofthe feeling of us at a finite value of , but the zero values of assumed,ie in sense above his throw-statuiert no negative feeling values, however,in my opinion, with a negative perception threshold values aresolidarity. What is called Langer threshold and how we interactwith b known, though ruled after him conscious of unconscious feelings,

but feelings are unconscious to him but also very small sensations, andthe distinction he makes between his conscious and unconscious feelings

(p. 54 ) has not become quite clear to me, you may even read about itlong. See more comments about the 10th Section.

3) On p. 21 provides long a consideration of, from which heconcludes, should just noticeable difference sensations belong really thesame difference sensations, one would have to assume that "theuncertainty with which one remembers a past sensation size, the size towhich one of the assessment may differ seen by the memory of the truefeeling, from the size of the sensations is completely independent,"which indeed to accept the theory

In the Matter the Psychophysics-English-Gustav Theodor Fechner.

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