This chapter discusses some of Helmholtz’s views on noise and their critique by Wilhelm Wundt. The question raised is whether all noises are qualitatively complex and thus subject to psychological analysis, or whether some of them are simple and thus undefinable. This question boils down to asking whether the difference between noise and musical sound is primitive or not. Wundt views it as primitive, while Helmholtz does not. The issue has important implications for the study of sensory experience. Both authors share an analytic conception of psychology, for which the question of the ultimate elements of auditory experience is central and indispensable.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

“Specific Sensations of Noise”: Wundt on Noise and Tone

  • Denis Seron

摘要

This chapter discusses some of Helmholtz’s views on noise and their critique by Wilhelm Wundt. The question raised is whether all noises are qualitatively complex and thus subject to psychological analysis, or whether some of them are simple and thus undefinable. This question boils down to asking whether the difference between noise and musical sound is primitive or not. Wundt views it as primitive, while Helmholtz does not. The issue has important implications for the study of sensory experience. Both authors share an analytic conception of psychology, for which the question of the ultimate elements of auditory experience is central and indispensable.