Cognitive individualism and the child as scientist program

Date
2011
Authors
Wringe, B.
Editor(s)
Advisor
Supervisor
Co-Advisor
Co-Supervisor
Instructor
Source Title
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
Print ISSN
1369-8486
Electronic ISSN
Publisher
Volume
42
Issue
4
Pages
518 - 529
Language
English
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Series
Abstract

In this paper, I examine the charge that Gopnik and Meltzoff's 'Child as Scientist' program, outlined and defended in their 1997 book Words, Thoughts and Theories is vitiated by a form of 'cognitive individualism' about science. Although this charge has often been leveled at Gopnik and Meltzoff's work, it has rarely been developed in any detail.I suggest that we should distinguish between two forms of cognitive individualism which I refer to as 'ontic' and 'epistemic' cognitive individualism (OCI and ECI respectively). I then argue - contra Ronald Giere - that Gopnik and Meltzoff's commitment to OCI is relatively unproblematic, since it is an easily detachable part of their view. By contrast, and despite their explicit discussion of the issue, their commitment to ECI is much more problematic.

Course
Other identifiers
Book Title
Citation
Published Version (Please cite this version)