Cognitive Development and Epistemology

Cognitive Development and Epistemology is a collection of papers delivered at a conference attended by psychologists and philosophers to explore broad issues relating to the conceptual framework needed for the explanation of human actions. The meeting is held at the State University of New York at Binghamton in September 1969.

The compendium is divided into three sections. Part I deals with the relevance which the genetic study of concept development may have for the analysis of concepts. This sets the framework for subsequent discussion. The second part examines some of the specific issues in intellectual, moral, and emotional development with which a theory of cognitive development must deal. The last part seeks to assess the adequacy and relevance of this genetic developmental approach for an understanding of adult cognitive behavior. Philosophers and psychologists in the field of cognitive development and epistemology will find the text insightful.

Contenu

List of Contributors
Preface
Part I. Cognitive Development and Epistemology
Epistemology and Conceptual Development
I. The Status of Genetic Epistemology
II. Conceptual Development and Conceptual Understanding
III. The Nature of Piaget's Theory
IV. Epistemological Priorities in the Growth of Understanding
V. Conclusion
References
The Concept of "Stages" in Psychological Development
I. Introduction
II. The Methodology of New Sciences
III. Concepts: Their Acquisition and Employment
IV. Functional Achievements and Their Description
V. Conclusion
Postscript
References
Genetic Psychology, Genetic Epistemology, and Theory of Knowledge
I. Introduction
II. Is a "Genetic Epistemology" Possible?
III. Is Genetic Psychology Relevant to Epistemology?
IV. Special Questions
V. Conclusion
References
Part II. Basic Issues in the Psychology of Cognitive Development
A. The Development of Physical Concepts
The Development of Physical Concepts
I. Aspects of General Theory
II. Perception and Cognition
III. Representation and Knowledge
IV. Development of the Child's Concept of an Object
V. The Construction of Space
VI. Development of Causality
VII. Time
VIII. Practical Intelligence and Conceptual Thought
IX. Conclusion
References
Comments on Beilin's "The Development of Physical Concepts"
I. Determinants and Outcomes of Cognitive Development
II. Developmental Sequences
III. Equilibration
IV. Philosophy and Developmental Psychology
References
From Praxis to Logos: Genetic Epistemology and Physics
I. Genetics Epistemology and Physical Science
II. Piaget's "Mentalism"
III. From "Mentalism" to "Innatism"
References
Part II. Basic Issues in the Psychology of Cognitive Development
B. The Development of Moral Concepts
From Is to Ought: How to Commit the Naturalistic Fallcy and Get Away with It in the Study of Moral Development
I. Genetic Epistemology and Moral Psychology
II. Universals and Relativity in Moral Development
III. The Cognitive Developmental Theory of Moralization
IV. Moral Stages as a Hierarchy of Forms of Moral Integration
V. Our Stages Form an Order of Moral Adequacy: The Formalist Claim
VI. The Claim for Principles of Justice
VII. From "Is" to "Ought"
VIII. From Thought to Action
References
Moral Developments: A Plea for Pluralism
I. Introduction
II. Exposition of Kohlberg's Theory
III. Some Doubts about Details
IV. Virtues and Habits
V. Is Kohlberg Prescribing a Morality?
VI. Freud and Moral Failure
References
Comments on Kohlberg's "From Is to Ought"
References
Part II. Basic Issues in the Psychology of Cognitive Development
C. The Motivation of Cognitive Development
Early Cognitive Development: Hot or Cold?
I. The Psychoanalysis of Early Cognition
II. A Group of Central Questions
III. Stimulus-Response-Reinforcement Theories of Early Cognition
IV. Piaget on the Motivation of Cognitive Development
V. A Last Word
References
Piaget: Cognitive Conflict and the Motivation of Thought
I. Introduction: Human Motives and Theories of Motivation
II. Piaget on the Motivation of Thought
III. The Equilibrium Model of Thinking
IV. Cognitive Conflict and Motivation
V. Conclusion
Postscript
References
Motivational Issues in Cognitive Development: Comments on Mischel's Article
Part III. Theories of Cognitive Development and the Explanation of Human Conduct
Is a Theory of Conceptual Development Necessary?
I. Introduction
II. The Incompleteness of Scientific Theories
III. Psychological Models for Thought Processes
IV. Cognitive Models and Cognitive Development
V. Models of Cognition and Common Sense
VI. Is a Theory of Conceptual Development Necessary?
VII. An Analogy with Art
Postscript
References
The Myth of Cognitive Processes and Structures
References
What Is Involved in a Genetic Psychology?
I. Three Characteristics of Genetic Psychology
II. The Symbolic Function
III. The Concept of Maturity
IV. Conclusion
References
Author Index
Subject Index