In Our Time

The Eye

Feb 27, 2014
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the eye's historical and scientific journey. From ancient beliefs of emitting light to Newton's experiments, they explore Greek theories, Renaissance anatomical perspectives, and Newton's self-experiments. The intersection of theology and science is discussed, alongside the mysteries of color perception.
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INSIGHT

Early Theories of Vision

  • Early Greek thinkers like Empedocles believed vision worked through extramission, where light emanated from the eye.
  • This theory, though flawed, influenced language and literature, with expressions like "eyes flashed with anger."
INSIGHT

Observations Influencing Early Theories

  • Early thinkers observed phenomena like eye shine in animals and reflections in the cornea.
  • These observations led them to believe in extramission or that images from objects entered the eye.
INSIGHT

Aristotle's Influence on Vision Theory

  • Aristotle's intermission theory, where images enter the eye, became dominant.
  • This theory, coupled with early eye surgery practices, influenced later thinkers.
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