JOURNAL ARTICLE

Gareth Matthews on development and deficit.

  • Published In: Journal of Philosophy of Education, 2023, v. 57, n. 2. P. 582 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Bakhurst, David 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines Gareth Matthews' contributions to developmental psychology and the philosophy of childhood, focusing on his critique of the "deficit conception of childhood," which views children's capacities as merely incomplete versions of adult abilities. Matthews challenges influential stage theories by Jean Piaget and Lawrence Kohlberg, arguing that children demonstrate philosophical insight and moral reasoning earlier and more richly than these models allow. He emphasizes respecting children's curiosity, imagination, and unique ways of thinking rather than dismissing them as deficient. The article also discusses Matthews' appreciation of philosophical themes in children's literature and raises critical questions about the empirical support for his claims and his limited engagement with alternative psychological theories.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Philosophy of Education. 2023/04, Vol. 57, Issue 2, p582
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0309-8249
  • DOI:10.1093/jopedu/qhad026
  • Accession Number:170394609
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Philosophy of Education is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.