Parallels between visual and textual processing

Campbell argues that the perception of unity in written discourse is part of a more general perceptual phenomenon and is, in fact, analogous to the perception of visual unity. Specifically, she argues that Grice's Maxim of Relation operates analogously to the Gestalt principle of Continuity in visual perception. However, she also concludes that Grice's other three maxims have no analogs in Gestalt theory. We believe Grice's other maxims actually do have analogs in principles of visual perception, but the relationship between the two is opaque because they are stated in domain-specific terms. We suggest meta-principles that connect the two domains.