ABSTRACT
It seemed to me necessary to introduce the term ‘constructivism’2 as a specifi c name for a manner of thinking that in the past has often, but misleadingly, been described as ‘rationalism.’3 The basic conception of this constructivism can perhaps be expressed in the simplest manner by the innocent sounding formula that, since man has himself created the institutions of society and civilization, he must also be able to alter them at will so as to satisfy his desires or wishes. It is almost 50 years since I fi rst heard and was greatly impressed by this formula.4
