Why Goethe rejected Newton's theory of light

Journal/Book: Perception. 1996; 25: 207 Brondesbury Park, London, England NW2 5JN. Pion Ltd. 1219-1222.

Abstract: Observations that he himself had made persuaded Goethe to reject Newton's theory of light and to put forward an alternative theory of the colour phenomena seen with a prism. Duck has argued that Goethe's attack on Newton's theory rested on valid experimental observations that appeared to present a difficulty for Newton's theory but to support his own views on colour. Duck has also proposed that these observations may be accounted for as an instance of the Bezold-Brucke phenomenon. It is argued here that this explanation is invalid and that two other features of colour processing can explain Goethe's observations.

Note: Article Treisman M, Univ Oxford, Dept Expt Psychol, S Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3UD, ENGLAND

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