The Gestalt Theory And The Problem Of Configuration

The Gestalt Theory and the Problem of Configuration BY BRUNO PETERMANN UNIVERSITY OF KIEL LONDON KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER CO., LTD. BROADWAY HOUSE, CARTER LANE, E. G. 1932 Translated by MEYER FORTES PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, LTD., HERTFORD CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PAGE THE PROBLEM OF CONFIGURATION AND THE GESTALT THEORY Contemporary psychology and the problem of configuration. Purpose of the present investigation ...... i BOOK ONE THE CONCEPTUAL CONSTITUTION OF THE GESTALT THEORY, DEVELOPED IN ITS GENETIC CONTINUITY .... 7 CHAPTER I. THE THEORY OF THE -PROCESS SIMPLY A PRELIMINARY STEP TO THE ACTUAL GESTALT THEORY . . . . .10 2. The seeing of movement The thesis of the sensation-equivalence of the seeing of move ment, and the theory of the directed fa-process 1 1 3. The seeing of gestalt . Its derivation from the seeing of movement, and the theory of the simultaneous fa-process . . . .14 4. The principles inherent in Wertheimers contentions of 1912, and the actual gestalt theory ....... 16 CHAPTER II. THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE ORIENTATION IN THE PROBLEM, WHICH is CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ACTUAL GESTALT THEORY . .20 i. The proposal to transform the standpoint of psychological thinking in its principles . . .20 5. The first critical considerations opposing the old psychology Kohler, 1913 . . 21 6. The achievement of an anti-synthetic stand point as positive manifestation of a trans formation of principles . . . - 25 vi CONTENTS PAGE 2. The first delineation of actual gestalt thinking ....... 29 7. The establishment of the specific significance of the gestalt concept .... 29 8. The extension of the gestalt way of thinking to the different special provinces ofpsychology 32 CHAPTER III. THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE ACTUAL SYSTEM OF THE GESTALT THEORY . . - 34 1. The psychophysical-deductive founding of the basic principles of the gestalt doctrine by Kohler . . 35, 9. Kohlers epistemological extension of the gestalt thinking to physical domains . 35 10. Kohlers constructional solution of the psychophysical problem .... 39 11. Kdhlers logical incorporation of all problems of wholeness in his physical-physiological gestalt doctrine 41 2. The psychological refinement of the gestalt concept x into a principle founding a positive system . . 44 12. The primacy of the whole over the part in psychical events ..... 44 13. The notion of the conformance to laws of the gestalt, as formal presupposition for the conceptual tenets of a specific gestalt theory 47 14. The notion of the gestalt disposition as material presupposition for the empirical feasibility of a specific gestalt theory . 51 CHAPTER IV. THE ARCHITECTONICS OF THE FINAL BODY OF DOCTRINE OF THE GESTALT THEORY . 56 15. The extent of the gestalt theorys systematic field in general 56 1 6. The principles of construction of the system of gestalt psychology .... 56 17. The organization of the gestalt-psychological system in its integrality 57 CONTENTS vii BOOK TWO PAGB TOWARDS A CRITICISM OF THE GESTALT THEORY 59 PART ONE TOWARDS AN APPRAISEMENT OF THE CON STRUCTIONAL FOUNDATION OF THE GESTALT THEORY 62 CHAPTER I. KOHLERS EVIDENCE TO DEMONSTRATE A GESTALT-THEORETICAL PROVINCE IN THE SYSTEM OF PHYSICS . . . . .62 1. Kohlers demonstration of a first physical gestalt factor ........ 63 1 8. Kohlers line of argument in proof of the gestalt character of systems of electrolytic solutions ...... 63 19.Bechers version of Kohlers line of argument 66 2. Kohlers doctrine of the gestalt character of dis tribution systems . . . . .68 20. The distribution systems of physics and Kohlers interpretation of them ... 68 21. A direct testing of Kohlers contention by means of a model distribution system which can be envisaged in its entirety . . 71 22. Critical analysis of Kdhlers detailed arguments for the gestalt character of distribution systems .... 78 3 ...