Revaluation of the Concrete: by Seymour A. Papert, Lego Professor of Media and Education at MIT

Themes: The Revaluation of the Concrete

Source: (Lawler) Cognitive Science and Education: the future within our reach: a series of Invited Talks at Purdue University, 1988-1989

This panel is linked directly from “Mentors” in the right sidebar and from the Introductions page, LC0aV, which serves as a directory to all these talks.

For an informal appreciation of Papert see On-Papert, 2012.

Abstract: Revaluation of the Concrete

After giving Lawler some credit for urging on him the importance of concrete thought, as represented in the scholarly literature by Levi-Strauss’
discussions in the “The Savage Mind,” Papert reflects on his distinguishing his own notions (labelled “Constructionism”) from those of Piaget
(often labelled “constructivism”). After reprising the theme that computing machines can be a bridge between the formal and the concrete,
he proceeded to argue both Piaget and Levi-Strauss did not appreciate fully the importance of concrete thought in all human thinking. He argues
elegantly that Piaget reluctantly admitted that concrete thought was important — but only for epileptics at first, and later, only for children.
Then Papert proceeds to argue that even Levi-Strauss undervalued concrete thought and restricted its range to those minds “not yet civilized.”
He concludes by elaboration, applying the idea to recent feminist studies and others.


video
play-sharp-fill

Introduction by Bob Lawler, 10/27/1988 30mb

video
play-sharp-fill

Revaluation of the Concrete, 38mb

video
play-sharp-fill

Constructionism, 42b

video
play-sharp-fill

Computers: bridge between the formal and the concrete, 36mb

video
play-sharp-fill

Trends in revaluation of the concrete: on Piaget, 31mb

video
play-sharp-fill

Revaluation of the concrete: resistance in Piaget and Levi-Strauss, 45mb

video
play-sharp-fill

Revaluation of the concrete: feminist thinking, 55mb

video
play-sharp-fill

More related trends in revaluation of the concrete, 41mb

Print Friendly, PDF & Email