ABSTRACT

A presentation of current work that systematically explores and articulates the nature, origin and development of reasoning, this volume's primary aim is to describe and examine contemporary theory and research findings on the topic of deductive reasoning.

Many contributors believe concepts such as "structure," "competence," and "mental logic" are necessary features for a complete understanding of reasoning.

As the book emanates from a Jean Piaget Symposium, his theory of intellectual development as the standard contemporary treatment of deductive reasoning is used as the context in which the contributors elaborate on their own perceptions.

chapter 1|32 pages

Competence and Procedures

Constraints on the Development of Logical Reasoning

chapter 8|23 pages

The Three Faces of If

chapter 11|27 pages

Formal Operational Thought

chapter 12|43 pages

Reasoning, Logic, and Thought Disorder

Deductive Reasoning and Developmental Psychopathology

chapter 13|21 pages

Structuralism, Deconstruction, Reconstruction

The Limits of Reasoning