The history of scientific concepts of vision in relation to Ludwik Fleck’s thought-styles

Abstract

ABSTRACT.The aim of the article is to assess the usefulness of Ludwik Fleck's theory of thought-styles for the history of ophthalmology. On the basis of Fleck's ideas, the authors attempt to analyse the development of concepts of vision. They enumerate three styles in the history of ophthalmology: humoral, iatromechanical and micro-tissue. In conclusion, they state that the history of evolution of the concept of vision should be considered not only from the perspective of achievements of individual scientists but also with the addition of the social 'mood' that prevailed in a given historical period.

Science et émotion

“…Fleck a obtenu tardivement une reconnaissance dans la pensée académique (Latour, 2008). De nombreux travaux récents se réfèrent à lui (Chevalley, 2002 ;Braunstein, 2003 ;Zittel, 2012 ;Hagner, 2012 ;Grzybowski et al, 2013 ;Carifio et Perla, 2013). Précurseur négligé de Kuhn (1962, éd.…”

“…L'expérience (au sens du vécu) induit dans ce cadre des attentes spécifiques par rapport aux résultats de la recherche ou à ses objectifs. Elle procure également une attention particulière, une façon de voir (Grzybowski et al, 2013) ; elle rend saillant ce qui est invisible au néophyte 8 . Au fur et à mesure qu'un chercheur acquiert de l'expérience, l'émotion joue sur la façon dont il appréhende les objets de la recherche et sur la façon dont il 7.…”

A medieval fallacy: the crystalline lens in the center of the eye

“…3 – 11 , 13 – 19 , 22 – 35 Some historians have attributed this view to Galen of Pergamon (c. AD 129–199), a prominent Greek physician in the Roman empire. 15 , 16 , 18 – 32 In contrast, other historians report that Galen and Rufus of Ephesus (AD 80–150), the premier anatomist of the era, positioned the lens anteriorly. 1 , 2 , 6 , 9 , 12 – 14 , 36 According to this view, the lens was described as being located centrally in the works of the Roman encyclopedist Cornelius Celsus (c. 25 BC to AD 50).…”

“…Many historians such as Stephen L Polyak and Max Meyerhof have stated that Galen described the lens as being located in the center of the eye. 15 , 16 , 18 – 32 According to other historians, Celsus described the lens as being located centrally. 1 – 18 What has given rise to these claims?…”