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Constructivism Deconstructed

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Constructivism in Science Education

Abstract

This paper examines the doctrine of ‘constructivism’ as presented by Ernst von Glasersfeld (1989). Part I attempts to elicit a clearer statement of the concepts, positions and arguments for the latter than is immediately available in the paper. Part II discusses the problem of intersubjectivity in constructivism. The general conclusions drawn from these sections is that the basic concepts and theses of constructivism are, mostly, at best very obscure, that there is very little argument involved, and that where there is it is quite unsatisfactory. Part III ventures an explanation of at least some of the weaknesses in the doctrine, this involving a brief independent treatment of some relevant epistemological questions.

… ridentem dicere verum Quid vetat? Horace, Sat., I.i.24

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Suchting, W.A. (1998). Constructivism Deconstructed. In: Matthews, M.R. (eds) Constructivism in Science Education. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5032-3_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5032-3_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-4924-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5032-3

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