Question

Johannes Muller, in the first modern text book on physiology, proposed the "Doctrine of specific nerve energies" However the version of the doctrine held by Muller is very different than the one held today.

a. Explain the doctrine in general terms and then explain the difference between Muller's version and the more modern version (Helmholtz).

Answer 1

Doctrine of specific nerve energies says that " Mind has access to not objects in world however solely to our nerves". Acc to Muller 'each peculiar nerve has special power or quality' The philosophy states we have a tendency to solely percieve directly by activities of our nerves instead properties in external world.

Acc to him each nerve has special innate ability.

Difference between muller and modern version:-

Acc to muller each nerve has associate degree innate ability that solely reveal by applying stimulus. But acc to modern version stimulus are non- existent. They're simoly state that excite over nerves. Muller take into account sensory nerves as foundation of specific energy. Modern version acknowledge that existence of unconscious mental event whereas muller acknowledge that sensation are conscious & mental events. Muller thought that nerve contain specific energies independant of surrounding influence is one of major difference from modern version. Helmholtz theory of color discrimination identifies 3 color receptor found in retina. Acc to him color receptor enable color perception. Discrimination of color occur due to distinction in excitation level of various light wavelength in 3 photoreceptors .Helmholtz discover trichromatric theory of vision .His theory contains a distinct similarity to muller's theory . The presence of 3 color receptor is a sign of pre existing conscious state in visual system that's aroused by external stimuli.