What was Hartley’s philosophical goal? In what way might he be considered the first modern psychologist?
David Hartley was an English philosopher and also practiced as a physician. He offered physiological explanation for the association of ideas in terms of mechanics. He explained in his law of association that how voluntary behavior can develop from involuntary behavior. His two major influences were Locke and Newton. He took into account the law of contiguity, synchronous and successive.
The philosophical goal of Hartley was to synthesize the conception of Newton about nerve transmission with versions of empiricism. He rejected Descartes conception about nerves that they are hollow. But he accepted Newton’s contention that nerves are solid and that sensory experience causes vibrations in nerves. Newton called these vibrations as impressions. These impressions then reach the brain and cause vibrations there, resulting in sensations.
Hartley supported the whole idea of Newton about impressions and sensations. According to Hartley, the vibrations in the brain results in sensations which constitutes the idea. Newton also explained that the vibrations in the brain exist until the impressions cease them. Using Newton’s conception, Hartley mentioned the ideas as fainted replications of sensation.
Hartley was considered the first modern psychologist as he gave birth to the modern study of connection between physiological and psychological facts. Like Newton, he believed that sensation is the result of vibrations in the minute substances present in the nerves. These vibrations depend on the previous experiences. He also concluded from his findings that pleasure is the result of moderate vibrations and pain is the result of excessive vibrations.