Is a forgotten subject central to the future development of sciences? Jean Piaget on the interrelationship between ontogeny and history

• Published in: Personality and individual differences Vol. 98; pp. 118 - 126
• Main Author: Oesterdiekhoff, Georg W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2016
• Subjects: Jean Piaget; Ontogeny and history; Psychological development; Stage theory; Stage theory; Psychological development; Jean Piaget; Ontogeny and history
• ISSN: 0191-8869; 1873-3549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.098

Jean Piaget applied his developmental psychology to describe mind and reason of archaic humans and ancient philosophers. He studied children to have a scientific instrument for the research of the psychological development of the whole humankind from the Stone Ages over ancient civilizations to modernity. However, he never wrote a comprehensive monograph regarding this subject, apart from his books on the reconstruction of the history of sciences. Usually, he made the comparisons of children and historical phenomena by inserting some remarks in his books about children's psyche. This article collects these remarks and shows that they cover all relevant subjects regarding the child's psyche including logic, physics, social issues, morals, and politics. It is argued that Piaget himself was insecure on how to develop a general theory of the psychological development of the humankind. That is the reason why he did refrain from investing more research in this transfer work. The article shows, however, that it is possible and necessary to develop such a theory in order to enhance the future development of the humanities and the social sciences. Without this knowledge it is impossible to reconstruct the history of psyche, reason, culture, sciences, philosophy, law, religion, morals, politics, etc. •According to Piaget, children and many archaic adults share psychological structures.•Piaget's remarks regarding the parallels concern logic, physics, morals, and religion.•The history of mind and culture reflects the humans' ontogenetic development.•Piagetian cross-cultural psychology has indeed evidenced Piaget's early assumptions.•However, Piaget had some blockades regarding a deeper understanding of the parallels.