CHAPTER XX.. The Perception of Space

THE PERCEPTION OF SPACE

The feeling of crude extensity. The perception of spatial order. Space-'relations'. The meaning of localization. 'Local signs'. The construction of 'real' space. The subdivision of the original sense-spaces. The sensation of motion over surfaces. The measurement of the sense-spaces by each other. Their summation. Feelings of movement in joints. Feelings of muscular contraction. Summary so far. How the blind perceive space. Visual space. Helmholtz and Reid on the test of a sensation. The theory of identical points. The theory of projection. Ambiguity of retinal impressions;--of eye-movements. The choice of the visual reality. Sensations which we ignore. Sensations which seem suppressed. Discussion of Wundt's and Helmholtz's reasons for denying that retinal sensations are of extension. Summary. Historical remarks.