The lexicon of scientific psychology in C. Rădulescu-Motru’s “Psychology Course” Cover Image

Lexiconul psihologiei științifice în Cursul de psihologie al lui C. Rădulescu-Motru
The lexicon of scientific psychology in C. Rădulescu-Motru’s “Psychology Course”

Author(s): Constantin Stoenescu
Subject(s): History of Philosophy, Epistemology
Published by: Editura Academiei Române
Keywords: C. Rădulescu-Motru; scientific lexicon; speculative psychology; scientific psychology; empirical psychology;

Summary/Abstract: In his late works, such as “The Road since Structure”, Thomas Kuhn revised his view on the development of scientific knowledge, described as a succession of stages of “normal science” and “extraordinary research” leading to the replacement of one paradigm by another, and proposed a linguistic approach to the advancement of scientific knowledge based on the concepts of conceptual network and lexicon. I believe that Kuhn’s proposal can be used as a heuristic tool for understanding the process of scientific growth, including in psychology. In this regard, C. Rădulescu-Motru’s “Psychology Course” from 1923 is an exemplary case, marking the transition from speculative psychology, based on substantialist Aristotelian concepts, to an empirical psychology, based on experimental research – a program initiated by Franz Brentano and John St. Mill. This course thus crowns the Romanian philosopher’s efforts to develop a scientific lexicon and reinforce the conceptual network specific to psychology, an approach that places him in synchronicity with the Western philosophical and scientific community.

  • Issue Year: XIX/2023
  • Issue No: 19
  • Page Range: 13-25
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Romanian