ABSTRACT By its very nature, the predicament of the blind-deaf child invites debate about the cou... more ABSTRACT By its very nature, the predicament of the blind-deaf child invites debate about the course of human development and its contributing forces. From the time they are born, blind-deaf children are seen as grievously lacking in even the most basic of human characteristics. How and on what basis should training and intervention be undertaken? Alexander Meshcheryakov, one of Lev Vygotsky's successors within the Soviet tradition of sociohistorical psychology, embarked on an educational program for blind-deaf children which had at its core a theory of mind rooted in the concept of human activity. Meshcheryakov's theories and methods contrast with those in which the processing of sensory information is seen as the primary motor of the child's psychological development. After his death in 1974, Meshcheryakov's work was widely acclaimed by Soviet psychologists. However, it has recently been challenged within the Soviet Union, providing a window on academic and political debate in the era of glasnost.
This paper introduces a suite of articles devoted to Philip Kitcher’s The Main Enterprise of the ... more This paper introduces a suite of articles devoted to Philip Kitcher’s The Main Enterprise of the World: Rethinking Education (Oxford University Press, 2021). The suite opens with a paper by Kitcher, which presents the central themes of his important book. This is followed by an assessment of the work as whole by John White, and four commentaries discussing in detail various aspects of Kitcher’s position by Ben Kotzee (on science education), Alexis Gibbs (on arts education), Sheron Fraser-Burgess (on deliberative democracy and inclusivity), and Nigel Tubbs (on Kitcher’s ‘Deweyan Society’). In the final contribution, Kitcher replies to his critics. The introduction sketches the character of Kitcher’s project and comments on his pragmatist method.
This paper argues that Gareth Matthews’ writing on developmental psychology is both a central par... more This paper argues that Gareth Matthews’ writing on developmental psychology is both a central part of his philosophical legacy and a contribution of enduring interest. Although he engages with figures, such as Piaget and Kohlberg, who are no longer as influential as they once were, his critique of the ‘deficit conception of childhood’ retains its relevance today. While the deficit model holds that any capacity, aptitude, virtue, or skill that a child possesses is a deficient version of the same capacity, aptitude, virtue, or skill, as possessed by adults, Matthews contends that there are some things adults do badly which children do well, and that children's curiosity, wonder, and imaginative insight is something we should respect—indeed envy—and try to learn from. The paper concludes by raising a number of questions and criticisms of Matthews’ approach that his contemporary followers might fruitfully seek to address.
One of the most accomplished thinkers in the Soviet Marxist tradition, Asmus wrote extensively in... more One of the most accomplished thinkers in the Soviet Marxist tradition, Asmus wrote extensively in many areas of philosophy, and was widely regarded as the Soviet Union’s principal Kant scholar. Early in his career, he became associated with the influential school of ‘dialecticians’ led by A.M. Deborin and produced a number of significant writings in the history of philosophy. When Deborin and his followers were condemned as ‘Menshevizing idealists’ in 1931, Asmus shifted the principal focus of his work to aesthetics and logic. His 1947 textbook of formal logic subsequently became the principal text for logic instruction in the USSR. Throughout his long career, Asmus experienced a number of political difficulties. Nevertheless, he avoided imprisonment and published consistently, though he was never permitted to go abroad. His importance in Russian philosophy derives not so much from the significance of his theories, but from his role in preserving philosophical culture in Russia thro...
Page 1. DJ BAKHURST THOUGHT, SPEECH AND THE GENESIS OF MEANING: ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VYGOTS... more Page 1. DJ BAKHURST THOUGHT, SPEECH AND THE GENESIS OF MEANING: ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VYGOTSKY'S MY~LENIE 1 REd' ABSTRACT. This article seeks to present Vygotsky's theoretical perspective ...
ABSTRACT By its very nature, the predicament of the blind-deaf child invites debate about the cou... more ABSTRACT By its very nature, the predicament of the blind-deaf child invites debate about the course of human development and its contributing forces. From the time they are born, blind-deaf children are seen as grievously lacking in even the most basic of human characteristics. How and on what basis should training and intervention be undertaken? Alexander Meshcheryakov, one of Lev Vygotsky's successors within the Soviet tradition of sociohistorical psychology, embarked on an educational program for blind-deaf children which had at its core a theory of mind rooted in the concept of human activity. Meshcheryakov's theories and methods contrast with those in which the processing of sensory information is seen as the primary motor of the child's psychological development. After his death in 1974, Meshcheryakov's work was widely acclaimed by Soviet psychologists. However, it has recently been challenged within the Soviet Union, providing a window on academic and political debate in the era of glasnost.
This paper introduces a suite of articles devoted to Philip Kitcher’s The Main Enterprise of the ... more This paper introduces a suite of articles devoted to Philip Kitcher’s The Main Enterprise of the World: Rethinking Education (Oxford University Press, 2021). The suite opens with a paper by Kitcher, which presents the central themes of his important book. This is followed by an assessment of the work as whole by John White, and four commentaries discussing in detail various aspects of Kitcher’s position by Ben Kotzee (on science education), Alexis Gibbs (on arts education), Sheron Fraser-Burgess (on deliberative democracy and inclusivity), and Nigel Tubbs (on Kitcher’s ‘Deweyan Society’). In the final contribution, Kitcher replies to his critics. The introduction sketches the character of Kitcher’s project and comments on his pragmatist method.
This paper argues that Gareth Matthews’ writing on developmental psychology is both a central par... more This paper argues that Gareth Matthews’ writing on developmental psychology is both a central part of his philosophical legacy and a contribution of enduring interest. Although he engages with figures, such as Piaget and Kohlberg, who are no longer as influential as they once were, his critique of the ‘deficit conception of childhood’ retains its relevance today. While the deficit model holds that any capacity, aptitude, virtue, or skill that a child possesses is a deficient version of the same capacity, aptitude, virtue, or skill, as possessed by adults, Matthews contends that there are some things adults do badly which children do well, and that children's curiosity, wonder, and imaginative insight is something we should respect—indeed envy—and try to learn from. The paper concludes by raising a number of questions and criticisms of Matthews’ approach that his contemporary followers might fruitfully seek to address.
One of the most accomplished thinkers in the Soviet Marxist tradition, Asmus wrote extensively in... more One of the most accomplished thinkers in the Soviet Marxist tradition, Asmus wrote extensively in many areas of philosophy, and was widely regarded as the Soviet Union’s principal Kant scholar. Early in his career, he became associated with the influential school of ‘dialecticians’ led by A.M. Deborin and produced a number of significant writings in the history of philosophy. When Deborin and his followers were condemned as ‘Menshevizing idealists’ in 1931, Asmus shifted the principal focus of his work to aesthetics and logic. His 1947 textbook of formal logic subsequently became the principal text for logic instruction in the USSR. Throughout his long career, Asmus experienced a number of political difficulties. Nevertheless, he avoided imprisonment and published consistently, though he was never permitted to go abroad. His importance in Russian philosophy derives not so much from the significance of his theories, but from his role in preserving philosophical culture in Russia thro...
Page 1. DJ BAKHURST THOUGHT, SPEECH AND THE GENESIS OF MEANING: ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VYGOTS... more Page 1. DJ BAKHURST THOUGHT, SPEECH AND THE GENESIS OF MEANING: ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VYGOTSKY'S MY~LENIE 1 REd' ABSTRACT. This article seeks to present Vygotsky's theoretical perspective ...
Kantian Rationality in Ethics: Foundations, Applications, Challenges
Sticker M. Who is Rationa... more Kantian Rationality in Ethics: Foundations, Applications, Challenges
Sticker M. Who is Rationalising? On an Overlooked Problem for Kant’s Moral Psychology and Method of Ethics .................................................... 7
Bakhurst D. Categorical Moral Requirements.............................................. 40
Nagl L. Digital Technology: Reflections on the Difference between Instrumental Rationality and Practical Reason..................................................... 60
Altman M. C. Kant in the Time of COVID ................................................... 89
Kitcher Ph. Naturalising Kant...................................................................... 118
Kant: pro et contra
Cospito G. The Problem of the Revolution in Gramsci (Between Kant and
Marx) ..................................................................................................................... 147
Events
Katrechko S. L. Review of the 13th International Kant Congress...................... 171
Uploads
Papers by David Bakhurst
Sticker M. Who is Rationalising? On an Overlooked Problem for Kant’s Moral Psychology and Method of Ethics .................................................... 7
Bakhurst D. Categorical Moral Requirements.............................................. 40
Nagl L. Digital Technology: Reflections on the Difference between Instrumental Rationality and Practical Reason..................................................... 60
Altman M. C. Kant in the Time of COVID ................................................... 89
Kitcher Ph. Naturalising Kant...................................................................... 118
Kant: pro et contra
Cospito G. The Problem of the Revolution in Gramsci (Between Kant and
Marx) ..................................................................................................................... 147
Events
Katrechko S. L. Review of the 13th International Kant Congress...................... 171