Which is more sensitive: eye or fingertips?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the sensitivity comparison between the eye and fingertips, exploring the definitions and contexts of "sensitivity" in relation to touch and visual perception.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the definition of "sensitive" to make the comparison meaningful.
  • Another participant asserts that fingertips are much more sensitive to touch than the eye, noting that a light touch on the eye is hardly felt compared to the noticeable sensation on the fingertips.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that while fingers are more sensitive to mechanical touch, eyes are more sensitive to light, indicating a distinction in types of sensitivity.
  • Evidence is presented regarding the brain's representation of fingers compared to eyes, suggesting that the fingers have a larger area dedicated to sensory processing.
  • It is noted that visual perception is processed in a different part of the brain than tactile sensation, which complicates the comparison.
  • One participant concludes that fingers are more sensitive overall but acknowledges that the eyes have their own form of sensory sensitivity, particularly to touch and light.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the sensitivity of the eye versus fingertips, with no consensus reached on which is definitively more sensitive.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the need for a clear definition of "sensitivity" and the complexity of comparing different sensory modalities, which may depend on context and specific types of stimuli.

Karoka
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Which is more sensitive: eye or fingertips?

P.S. touching or feeling
 
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Define "sensitive" in a way that will make the comparison meaningful.
 
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Fingertips are much more sensitive to touch.

If you softly touch the eye with some probe (which should obviously not be sharp and clean) you can hardly feel it whereas even the lightest touch of the fingertips is clearly noticeable.
 


Fingers are more sensitive to mechanical touch.
Eyes are more sensitive to the touch of photons.

Evidence for fingers being more sensitive because a larger part of the brain affects them,
"one can see that the hands have a disproportionately large representation compare to the eyes with respect to sensation"
http://www.medrounds.org/ocular-pathology-study-guide/2005/11/projection-of-eye-onto-brain.html

But this doesn't take into account that visual perception, which is defined as one of the "senses", is actually processed in a different neural locale than the fingers. Similar to how smell has the olfactory bulb specialized for scents.

I conclude that fingers are more sensitive with regard to this post, but its arguable that eyes have more sensory "feeling", since the eye is sensitive to touch on the cornea AND sensitive to light on the retina. It's all relative.
 
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