Developmental Science as a boundary opening framework for anthropology, history, cultural sciences and philosophy: The centrality of developmental change

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Mack, Wolfgang

Affiliations: Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Wolfgang Mack, Institute of Psychology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, P.O. Box 11 19 32, D-60054 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Fax: +49-69-798-28595, Email: [email protected]

Abstract: Some arguments are presented why Developmental Science should be seen as integrative part of a general anthropology. This is the reason that developmental science is a boundary opening framework for anthropology, history, cultural sciences and philosophy. The relation between a more culturalistic and naturalistic orientation of developmental science is sketched by referring to the fact that the distinction between nature and culture is drawn within culture, by stating some philosophical problems like the emergence of thought and the problem of developmental change. Emphasis is laid on the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic, relational change, because the latter should be seen as especially relevant for studying cultural change. Finally, it is argued that the explanatory structure of developmental change needs extensive theorizing and scrutiny in developmental science. An important step towards this direction should be that cultural and natural sciences work together to create a common conceptual framework for developmental science.

Keywords: developmental change, developmental science, developmental explanation, nature and culture, relational change

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1104

Journal: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 33-46, 2007