The Redness of Red: fact or fiction?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of color perception, specifically the color red, which has a frequency of 650nm. Neuroscientists argue that colors are subjective constructs rather than inherent properties of light, which only possesses frequency and polarization. The brain processes visual signals through RGB sensors in the eyes, leading to varying perceptions, especially in individuals with color deficiencies. This understanding challenges traditional views on color and highlights the distinction between physical properties of light and human perception.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of light properties, specifically frequency and polarization.
  • Basic knowledge of human visual perception and the role of the visual cortex.
  • Familiarity with RGB color model and color deficiency concepts.
  • Awareness of neuroscience principles related to sensory processing.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between light frequency and color perception in "Color Theory".
  • Explore the neuroscience of vision, focusing on "Visual Cortex Function".
  • Study the implications of color deficiency in "Color Vision Deficiency Testing".
  • Investigate the psychological aspects of color perception in "Color Psychology".
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for neuroscientists, psychologists, educators in visual arts, and anyone interested in the intersection of physics and human perception of color.

Dr Wu
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This question has been bothering me for sometime now: do we actually see colours? The colour red, for instance, has the frequency of 650nm, but does this explain its "redness" as experienced by humans? Many neuroscientists suggest this is just a phantom, that colours are subjective constructs, nothing more. What do physicists think?

And what about this?

https://www.theguardian.com/technol...lour-illusion-the-dress-blue-black-gold-white
 
Science news on Phys.org
Light has only the property of frequency and polarisation, there is physically nothing "red" about light. How our brain processes the incoming signals from our eyes is something totally different, these are neuro signals processed by the visual cortex.
 
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It looks as if the eye has RGB sensors and just compares the output of each. People with colour deficiency have differing sensitivities of these sensors, yet may describe what they see by colour names. No doubt the brain does not care what the actual sensitivities of the sensors are and just compares the three signals.
 
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Yes, this makes a lot of sense to me too. It was just that a well-known science writer expressed some doubts about it in a book review forum recently, which left me wondering in turn. Thanks for the input.
 
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