Did Helmholtz believe that sensory data required interpretation for understanding?

Helmholtz indeed believed that sensory data requires interpretation for understanding. He posited that our sensory experiences are influenced by prior knowledge and cognitive processes. Helmholtz's contributions to psychology and physiology emphasized the idea that perception is not a direct reflection of external reality; rather, it is an active interpretation of sensory input based on experiences, context, and expectations.

For instance, he explored how our brains use past experiences to make sense of new sensory information, a concept that highlights the importance of interpretation in understanding our environment. This perspective laid the groundwork for later theories in psychology regarding perception and cognition, reinforcing the notion that sensory data alone is insufficient for complete understanding without the interpretive processes of the mind.