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Abstract

This Paper explores the relevance of conceptual analysis to psychology by considering how Wittgenstein’s investigations relate to influential psychological work of his own day. In particular, we focus on Wittgenstein’s engagement with the writings of prominent Gestalt psychologist Wolfgang Köhler (1887–1967), and we discuss ways in which Wittgenstein’s studies of aspect seeing yield critiques of Köhler’s theory of perception. Since Wittgenstein directly addresses Köhler’s ideas, our Paper thereby shows how Wittgenstein’s own words reveal conceptual weaknesses in a psychological theory.

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© 2013 Nicole Hausen and Michel ter Hark

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Hausen, N., ter Hark, M. (2013). Aspect Seeing in Wittgenstein and in Psychology. In: Racine, T.P., Slaney, K.L. (eds) A Wittgensteinian Perspective on the Use of Conceptual Analysis in Psychology. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137384287_6

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