Action as the solution to the mind-body problem in Piaget’s theory

Abstract

This article discusses the relation between mind and body in Piagetian
theory. The relation between mind and body is explained by Piaget in terms
of a parallelism between psyche and physical processes. On one side, the
body is a part of the world of material objects and, as such, obeys the rules
of causality. On the other hand, the mind is a formal unity and, as such,
obeys the rule of formal necessity that is implication. What is the relation
between both? All forms of knowledge have the origin in sensory-motor
actions. Actions are at first rhythmic and afterwards regulatory. Regulations
give origin to different forms of rule behavior and norm consciousness.
This consciousness requires a distinction between facts and norms, causes
and meanings, as well as the distinction between mind and body. However,
both poles of these pairs are always complementary to each other. The
principle of equilibration regulates the potential isomorphism between
mind and body as its development in a general spiral of knowledge.
The body constitutes the mediator between self and the environment, as
well as this mediation inversely constitutes the self itself.