How did Helmholtz view the nature of perception?

Helmholtz viewed the nature of perception as an indirect process based on unconscious inference, which underscores the idea that our sensory experiences are not just direct reflections of the external world but are shaped by cognitive processes that interpret and organize sensory information. He argued that perception involves combining sensory data with prior knowledge, experiences, and context, leading us to make inferences about what we are sensing.

This perspective suggests that our understanding of the world is mediated by mental processes that fill in gaps, allowing us to perceive complex scenes and objects rather than merely responding to sensory inputs. For instance, when we look at an ambiguous image, our mind uses past experiences to infer the most likely interpretation, demonstrating the role of unconscious inference in shaping our perceptions. This concept was significant in moving psychology towards a more cognitive approach, highlighting the active role of the mind in how we perceive reality.