>From image formation by a plane mirror to the generation of (human)visual consciousness
image formation by a plane mirror , visual consciousness, transform,
virtual image , overlap(superpo se), dual identities, seeing an object
How could an object become visible when observed by the eyes of the
human beings, i.e., how could the electrochemical changes of the
visual cortex and cerebral cortex be transformed into an object?
Apparently, this transformation would never occur if we take the word
"transformation " by the common sense. However, given the fact we could
indeed see an object, the changes in the visual and cerebral cortex
MUST have already been transformed into an object. Therefore,
"transformation " here should have other implications more profound
than commonly understood , and we ought to find out the mechanism and
pathway involved in this process.
The electrochemical changes in the visual and cerebral cortex must be
firstly translated into an image. Then this image ought be changed
into the corresponding object. In comparison with image formation by a
plane mirror, we would elucidate the mechanisms and pathways of these
most unexpected transformations , with an effort to reveal the mystery
of visual consciousness .
Does it hold true that the mirror itself produces the image (a virtual
image) formed by a plane mirror? Definitely no. The virtual image is
produced by the brains of human beings and animals, rather than by the
mirror itself.
Can it be more clearly demonstrated that the virtual image is
generated via the brain, than analyzing the process during which the
light enters into a plane mirror from the object, and then gets into
the eyes and brain, thus leading to the visualization of the virtual
image?
Can we assume that there exists a virtual image before the light
enters the eyes? Of course we cannot.
The single role a plane mirror plays in the whole process is the
reflection of light. However, after entering into the eyes, do not
these reflected lights need further procession by the brain? The
eventual result of this procession is seeing the virtual image.
The reason why we are capable of taking photos of an object while
taking pictures facing the plane mirror with a camer is NOT due to our
capability to capture a virtual image, as there is no real light given
out by the virtual image; rather, it lies in the fact that the
reflected light is able to enter into the lens of the camera.
As shown by Fig A, the convergence of the inverse expansion lines
helps to explain the position of a virtual point. However, neither the
virtual points nor the virtual images are produced by the convergence
of the inverse expansion lines, as the latter are not actual entities
while the former are existing facts. How could a non-existing inverse
expansion line be used to explain the existing actual fact of a
virtual image? In fact, it is exactly the mechanism of image
generation in the brain that defines the laws(/rules) of image
formation by a plane mirror.
What is the ultimate role for the fact that the brain is capable of
producing (/generating) an image( virtual image)?
Actually, it is exactlly this capability that enables a human being to
achieve the final results, i.e. , seeing an object, during the process
of visual consciousness generation.
In the following, we will explain how the brain sees an object when
obseved by a human being.
As shown by Fig B, when an object A is observed by the eyes and the
brain O, a
virtual image A' is fomed (/produced) in the first place, which
possesses two unique
characteristics .
Firstly, it is exactlly identical to the object A itself. Secondly,
and the most strikingly,
it can be filled with the corresponding object, resulting in what we
called the
overlapping£¨su perposing) of an object with its virtual image.
Only the virtual image itself can be entirely overlapped(supe rposed)
by the related object, and the space a virtual image occupys is called
the virtual space , while the space of an object is defined as the
physical space.
Fig C shows that the virtual image A' and the object A are
overlapped(supe rposed), leading to the presentation of both A' and A
in the same position. Because the virtual image A' and the
corresponding object A utilize an identical image after overlapping on
each other,So, the image here has dual identities, with one as a
virtual image and the other a physical object. The image has an extra
character ,The image becomes the object A.
Thus, as we see the virtual image A', we are actually observing the
object A itself.
It becomes apparent that the final result of visual consciousness is
achieved via a
two-step process, i.e., the formation of a virtual image in the first
place, and
secondly the overlapping(sup erposing) of this virtual image with the
corresponding object.
It is the process of overlapping(sup erposing) that turns a virtual
image into a visible object. This unique character( of a virtual
image) is best utilized in a most perfect and magic way during the
final stage of visual consciousness.
A A'
____|______|___ ___0 £¨the eyes and the brain £©
B Fig
A A'
____|__________ ___ 0 £¨the eyes and the brain £©
C Fig
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