This article explores the Central European philosophical roots of perceptual psychology from a historical perspective. It will be shown that Alexius Meinong's notion of a forum of perception is the point of departure for a beginning inclusion of external factors in explaining perception. This conclusion is mainly because of Fritz Heider's early contributions on perception and its influence on Egon Brunswik. In addition, the impact of Meinong and Edmund Husserl-both students of Franz Brentano-on Brunswik's teacher, Karl Bühler, is highlighted.
Ernst Topitsch's analysis of world views is presented. His explanatory model consists of an elaborated projection-reflection-scheme. It is argued that the projection is an abductive inference. As a consequence Topitsch's analysis of world views can be linked to recent developments in the philosophy of science. Finally the question is considered whether the projection can be interpreted as an inference to the best explanation. This is denied because an inference to the best explanation roots in a scientific context, whereas Topitsch's (abductive) projection obviously does not.
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