The Completion And Formalization Of Genetic Epistemology

The classic theory of Piaget has been criticized by overlooking particular condition and the amphibolous demonstration on developmental structure. Piaget, himself, was dissatisfactory of this either. In Piaget's late years, that was 1960s——1970s,he published a series of his works one after the other. Now in domestic, the"translation series of genetic epistemology elites"published by East China Normal University Publisher are the five works among them. In these works, there is development as well as the correction and completion of the classic theory. In summarize as follow:1. Carry on the major core of the early theory. The issues that Piaget wants to settle in genetic epistemology, logic-determinism and illuminating of developmental mechanism are all extended in the latest or new theory. Piaget is an unshaken constructivist. To think and explain the equilibrium mechanism sustained all his life. In Piaget's late years, he made a genetic and history research on cognition development and reviewed the history of science with equilibrium mechanism.2. In the late 1960s, he conceived new opinion on causality and brought forward the causal attribution theory. He inducted some new objects such as the inevitability, possibility, and considered the meanings logic etc. Completed the early theory with category and his studies are more formalizing.3. The latest theory is not finally completed and is open to be more development. In detail, Piaget brought forward the"three-stage"theory for development which is universal to every cognitive development process. It is also the formalization of the early developmental theory. As a part of genetic epistemology, the relationship of"three-stage"theory and other theories requires more explicit explanation. This makes to bring the"three-stage"theory into equilibrium mechanism. The meanings logic which Piaget brought forward in his late years was one of his splendid contributions. But the discussion of it has not been finished and must be completed in the future.It will be analyzed in this article of the process and roles of Piaget's theory development with Piaget's own"three-stage"theory, and make a conclusion that his latest theory is the completion and formalization of the early theory. Try to analysis the essence of the development and turning in Piaget's theory by discussing his latest theory. It has the logic and cognitive significance for understanding and grasping the whole genetic epistemology. Piaget and his genetic epistemology possess an important status not only in psychology, but also gain very high appraisement in philosophy epistemology and biology. So it is very necessary to make further research and cognition on his theory to every psychologist. In Piaget's word, the real work is just beginning.