However the central aim of this paper is not a summation the history of Gestalt philosophy but rather is intended to show the importance of creative and speculative thought in the initiation of new paradigms and concepts; as well as in new views about reality and psychology. The author uses the brief overview of Gestalt theory to stress the underlying importance and the motivational roots of experimental and adventurous thinking that lay beneath the discovery of Gestalt, as well as in other innovative scientific and psychological discoveries.. He describes earlier psychological research that was determined by formal logocentric and rationalistic approaches as a "prison"; and that this was a prison that needed to be broken out of, as it were, in intellectual terms. This refers to the prevailing view at the time that all facets in psychology were the result of "...unrelated inert atoms and that almost the only factors which combine these atoms and thus introduce action are associations formed under the influence of mere contiguity..."(Khler). This was felt to be a unsatisfactory representation of reality and provided the impetus towards creative theories of perception, such as the Gestalt, that were consistent with a more dynamic and "colorful" world...
Central to his critique is the fact that too much attention is being given to formal and scientific caution and an over-emphasis on verification instead of innovation. He states that, "First, I doubt whether it is advisable to regard caution and a critical spirit as the virtues of a scientist, as though little else counted." While critical caution has its place, Khler point is that it should not supersede or retard the type of creative and innovative thought that led to the discovery of Gestalt psychology. This criticism is aimed mainly at contemporary psychology which Khler states is at times overly concerned with formal procedure and "scorns" new ideas. This attitude, he says, has the disadvantage of creating skepticism and reducing the possibility of innovative thought. In summation, the author argues on the basis of the history of Gestalt psychology for a return to a more open, innovative and creative approach to psychology that should not be hampered by too great an emphasis on formal scientific caution.
Works Cited
Khler W. Gestalt Psychology Today. 1959. June 5, 2007. http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/kohler.html
