The history of scientific concepts of vision in relation to Ludwik Fleck's thought-styles

Abstract

The aim of the article is to assess the usefulness of Ludwik Fleck's theory of thought-styles for the history of ophthalmology. On the basis of Fleck's ideas, the authors attempt to analyse the development of concepts of vision. They enumerate three styles in the history of ophthalmology: humoral, iatromechanical and micro-tissue. In conclusion, they state that the history of evolution of the concept of vision should be considered not only from the perspective of achievements of individual scientists but also with the addition of the social 'mood' that prevailed in a given historical period.

Keywords: Ludwik Fleck; history of ophthalmology; thought-collective; thought-style; vision.