In simple terms, the quote suggests that our eyes are not just passive receptors of light but active participants in shaping how we perceive it. The eye captures and binds light, much like a photograph does, yet this binding is more than mere capture—it’s an act of synthesis, where the eye processes and interprets the incoming light to create visual experiences.
Delving deeper into the quote's implications, Deleuze implies that the interaction between our eyes and light goes beyond physical optics. It involves a complex interplay of biological mechanisms and cognitive processes that form our perception of reality. The idea of "reproductive synthesis" suggests that what we see is not just a copy or reflection of external stimuli but an active reconstruction based on past experiences, learned behaviors, and internal neurological processes. This concept of the eye being both bound by light and binding it reflects the intricate relationship between sensory input and mental processing, highlighting how deeply our subjective experience shapes objective reality.
The quote comes from Gilles Deleuze, a renowned French philosopher known for his influential works in philosophy, particularly for challenging traditional philosophical concepts through innovative ideas. His thinking often delves into the nature of perception, consciousness, and identity, making this particular quote an excellent example of his exploration into how we perceive and interact with the world around us.
