Relational Construction of Visual Objects

One of the main functions of visual system is to construct representations of objects. These visual objects are formed by developing and modifying the structure of more primitive visual representations. In the paper, I consider the type of structural change that transforms visual regions, which may be treated as maximal non-object representations, into basic, low-level visual objects. In order to identify such structural development, theories of early vision, models of figure/ground distinction, and ontological notions of objects’ structure are analyzed and discussed. A thesis is stated that external relations between visual representations are the main structural factor that determines the transition between nonobject representations and visual objects. I argue that such an approach is more adequate than propositions according to which visual objects are distinguished by virtue of internal relations, possessing certain features, exemplifying a general category, or having a visual index attached. This conclusion is preceded by conceptual considerations by which I specify a criterion for distinguishing category of visual objects from other types of visual representations.