The Eye as an Inversion Machine (Afterimages) Goethe’s most profound contribution was the discovery of physiological colors-the realization that the human eye is biologically hardwired to think in inversions to maintain balance. If you stare intensely at a bright Green circle for thirty seconds and then look at a blank white wall, your eye will instantly project a phantom Red circle. If you stare at Yellow, your eye fabricates Violet. Goethe's Insight: The human eye cannot tolerate unbalance. When the eye is forced to look at a specific color, it experiences a state of irritation. To save itself and return to a healthy equilibrium (homeostasis), the eye actively creates the exact opposite color out of nothing.