Interpretation On Development Process Of Epistemology Mechanism Program

Evolutionary epistemology research was originated in the 1970s, initially proposed by Campbell, as a natural selection approach to epistemology. To the late 1980s, evolutionary epistemology research is gradually taking shape. Based on different approaches, Bradie distinguished between the two Programs:Evolutionary Epistemology Mechanism program (EEM) and the theory of evolution Program (EET). Although these two are different but closely related. From the international perspective, the academic community still does not give a systematic analysis and account of EEM program. Initially, EEM program focuses on using natural selection theory to explain the cognitive mechanisms. Later with the influence of development systems theory and constructivist psychology, the research direction has accordingly changed. The so-called interpretation on the development process in this paper means that on the basis of historical development of EEM program, this project trys to reveal the inherent logic of the process of change in terms of epistemological and methodological issues. From the two dimensions, it is aimed at providing a new perspective to philosophy of biology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, and other related areas.The study is inclusive of five aspects. First, this paper makes a literature review of the development process of evolutionary epistemology, mainly focusing on the origin of the EEM program and EET program and exploring their differences. EEM program is viewed as the main topic of this paper.Second, this paper investigates the development process of EEM program. Initially, influenced by the Modern Synthesis theory and the adaptionism paradigm, EEM program is mainly focused on epistemological issues from a view of phylogeny. The subsequent emergence of non-adapationism paradigm makes EEM program is mainly focused on the constructivism approach, that is to say, showing concerns about internal cognitive mechanisms from an ontogenetic perspective. Beside the two paradigms, there is also an intermediate form of studying epistemological issues from the interacting viewpoint.Third, this paper gives an analysis of the epistemological significance for the development process of EEM program. (1) It reveals the biological basis of cognitive evolution from the perspectives of the genetic basis for mind evolution, the relation between mind development and brain evolution and the driving force of cognitive evolution; (2) It deepens the understanding of cognitive evolution based on a perspective of natural environment by forming an adaptionism orientation, the perspective of the organisms initiative by forming an non-adaptionism orientation, and also a new perspective of understanding the relations between environment and animals. (3) It integrates the biological mechanisms with psychological mechanisms of cognition through a view of cognitive constructivism; it compensates the weakness by considering phylogeny with a view of ontogeny in terms of cognitive studies; it overcomes the limitations of biological mechanisms by the cultural mechanisms.Fourthly, this paper reflects upon the methodological implications of EEM program, mainly in the following levels:(1) Following the principle of causal feedback methods, integrating biology with system theory and control theory by explaining living systems function; (2) Using observable theoretical methods to explain the integrated approach to externally observation and internally interpretation; (3) Giving concerns to the methodology of conscious phenomenology, with the integration of the consciousness approach to first-person with the third-person approach, to achieve an alliance between philosophy and neuroscience; (4) Advocating for the constructivism approach to social interaction based on Piaget’s genetic epistemology, to clarify the constructivism approach to reflective abstraction from outside to inside; (5) Reflecting upon the possibility of interdisciplinary collaboration and integration of theories embodied in the holism methodologies.At last, this paper gives comprehensive comments of the EEM program by use of the integrated approach to historical and logical doctrines. It positively points out that it provides a platform for the intergration of philosophy with nature science in terms of epistemology and it enriches the research of philosophical epistemology and methodology. It negatively indicates the weakness of EEM program and shows the prospects for future research.