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Description of  The Child as Natural Phenomenologist: Primal and Primary Experience in Merleau-Ponty's Psychology (Studies in Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy)

0810128802 pdf Maurice Merleau-Ponty (19081961) is well known for his work in phenomenology, but his lectures in child psychology and pedagogy have received little attention, probably because Talia Welsh translated the lectures in their entirety only in 2010. The Child as Natural Phenomenologist summarizes Merleau-Pontys work in child psychology, shows its relationship to his philosophical work, and argues for its continued relevance in contemporary theory and practice. Welsh demonstrates Merleau-Pontys unique conception of the childs development as inherently organized, meaningful, and engaged with the world, contrary to views that see the child as largely internally preoccupied and driven by instinctual demands. Welsh finds that Merleau-Pontys ideas about human psychology remain relevant in todays growing field of child studies and that they provide important insights for philosophers, sociologists, and psychologists to better understand the human condition. Read more