ABSTRACT
Psychology.—Logicomathematical formalization is a heuristic tool for psychologists; it helps them “manage things” and put their thoughts in order. This pragmatic fit between psychology and logic exposes the logician to the temptation of psychologism (viewing the task of logic as that of describing human thought processes) (→LOGIC) and the psychologist to the temptation of logicism (the view that whatever works in a formal system will work in psychology too). Formalization also raises the question of realism and constructivism (→CONSTRUCTIVISM, REALISM): Do logicomathematical objects exist outside the human brain as an ideal representation of the universe (hence their relevance to psychology as well as to physics, biology, economics, and the like), or are they precisely the product of a symbolic neural construction of the human brain and mind (→MIND, NUMBER)?
