Perspectives on activity theory: Knowledge as shared procedures

摘要: Introduction Most of the chapters in this volume are concerned with applying activity theory to different aspects individual development and social transformation. From that point view, subject chapter (the relevance L. S. Vygotsky's ideas philosophical knowledge) may be peripheral. Still, something is gained if, for once, we stand back view itself against its larger background intellectual history. The questions raised here, then, have do history Western epistemology, ways which work Vygotsky his successors helps throw light on current problems area. To explain my personal interest subject: I admired A. R. Luria more than 20 years, having come their writings through American clinical neuroanatomist Norman Geschwind (1974). Geschwind's aphasias apraxias was closely related neurological did during after World War II. As saw it, Luria's approach opened a new direction attack cerebral localization higher mental functions, so our whole understanding sensory cognitive systems (Luria, 1973). But not all: Going beyond neurology psychology (he thought), also suggested resolving other larger, long-standings issues tradition epistemology.