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The Philosophy of Science in Gestalt Theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

Edward H. Madden
Edward H. Madden*
Affiliation:
University of Connecticut
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Extract

Although the point of departure for Gestalt theory has been for the most part psychological investigation, nevertheless Gestalt theory is more inclusive than Gestalt psychology. Within psychology Gestalt theory claims to be the basis of the only scientific theory that can explain the empirical facts of psychology, but on a more general level Gestalt theory comprehends a philosophy of science, and positions in epistemology, metaphysics, and value theory. According to Wertheimer, Gestalt theory is “a palpable convergence of problems ranging throughout the sciences and the various philosophic standpoints of modern times” (1: 3). He also asserts that Gestalt theory was the result of concrete work done in psychology, logic, and epistemology (1: 1). In this paper we will be concerned only with the Gestaltist interpretations of and claims for the method and structure of science in general.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , July 1952 , pp. 228 - 238
Copyright
Copyright © 1952, The Williams & Wilkins Company

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Footnotes

1

The theses of this paper stem from Professor Gustav Bergmann's lectures on systematic psychology and philosophy of science. I thank Professor Bergmann for permitting me to use them here and in my doctoral dissertation, “An Examinaton of Gestalt Theory,” State University of Iowa, 1950.

References

(1) Ellis, Willis D., A Source Book of Gestalt Psychology. New York: The Humanities Press, 1950.Google Scholar
(2) Grelling, K. and Oppenheim, P., “Der Gestaltbegriff im Licht der neuen Logik,” Erkenntnis, 1938, 7, pp. 211–224.Google Scholar
(3) Koehler, Wolfgang, Gestalt Psychology: An Introduction to New Concepts in Modern Psychology. New York: Liveright Publishing Co., 1947.Google Scholar
(4) Koehler, Wolfgang, Dynamics in Psychology. New York: Liveright, 1940.Google Scholar
(5) Koehler, Wolfgang, The Place of Value in a World of Facts. New York: Liveright, 1938.Google Scholar
(6) Koffka, Kurt, Principles of Gestalt Psychology. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1935.Google Scholar
(7) Wertheimer, Max, “Gestalt Theory,” Social Research, 1944, 11, 78–99. (This account of Wertheimer's 1924 address to the Kantgesellschaft is more complete than the one in the Ellis volume.)Google Scholar