The Nature and Scope of Genetic Epistemology

Bibliographic Data

ID10707014
AuthorsRichard F Kitchener (0000-0003-2948-7767, Colorado State University, corresponding author)
Year1981
Volume48
Issue3
Pages400-415
Publication date1981-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1086/289007
OpenAlexW2058663883
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited11

Although the theory of Jean Piaget is correctly characterized as genetic epistemology, its nature and scope remain unclear and controversial. An examination of Piaget's Introduction à l'épistémologie génétique indicates that Piaget relies heavily upon a model of comparative anatomy and, consequently, that genetic epistemology is about both the history of science and individual development. This biological model seems to be the basis for Piaget's view that the history of science can be seen as a (Kantian) history of scientific concepts whereas psychogenetic development is a history of these very same concepts on the individual level. Finally, although there are passages indicating a different interpretation of the scope of genetic epistemology, I give several reasons for preferring the more liberal interpretation

Cognition · Cognitive development · Epistemology · Evolutionary epistemology · Genetic epistemology · History of science · Interpretation (philosophy) · Piaget's theory of cognitive development · Scope (computer science) · Social epistemology · Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology · Computer Science · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science · Psychology · Social Representations and Identity

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