Modes of Thought: Explorations in Culture and Cognition

Modes of Thought addresses a topic of broad interest to the cognitive sciences. Its central focus is on the apparent contrast between the widely assumed 'psychological unity of mankind' and the facts of cognitive pluralism, the diverse ways in which people think and the developmental, cultural, technological and institutional factors which contribute to that diversity. Whether described in terms of modes of thought, cognitive styles, or sensibilities, the diversity of patterns of rationality to be found between cultures, in different historical periods, between individuals at different stages of development remains a central problem for a cultural psychology. Modes of Thought brings together anthropologists, historians, psychologists and educational theorists who manage to recognise the universality in thinking and yet acknowledge the cultural, historical and developmental contexts in which differences arise.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction David R. Olson; Part I. The History of Thought: 2. Science in antiquity: the Greek and Chinese cases and their relevance to the problems of culture and cognition Geoffrey Lloyd; 3. Relations of analogy and identity Stanley J. Tambiah; 4. Self, narrative and memory: reflections on Augustine, Petrarch, and Descartes Brian Stock; 5. Normal people Ian Hacking; 6. Modes of reasoning and the politics of authority in the modern state Yaron Ezrahi; Part II. The Anthropology of Thought: 7. Frames for thinking: ways of making meaning Jerome S. Bruner; 8. Autobiography and fiction as modes of thought Carol F. Feldman and David Kalmar; 9. Inference in narrative and science Keith Oatley; 10. Literate mentalities: literacy, consciousness of language and modes of thought David R. Olson; 11. Mythology and analogy Cameron Shelley and Paul Thagard; Part III. The Development and Education of Thought: 12. Cognitive domains as modes of thought Susan Carey; 13. Modes of thinking about living kinds: science, symbolism, and common sense Scott Atran; 14. Is good thinking scientific thinking? Deanna Kuhn; 15. Network, the verb, and the appeal of collaborative modes of instruction and thought Myron Tuman.

Review :
"The editors bring together an impressive array of contributors in a powerful and productive way. This volume clarifies implications of the intellectual debate for readers involved in practical areas, such as education and psychotherapy. Impressive and provocative." James Wertsch, Washington University "...this book provides a wealth of information." Carol Leroy, Jrnl of Educational Thought