Jason W. Brown, Microgenetic theory: Reflections and prospects Commentary by Michel Weber

When writing a commentary on a given paper, one should always have the highest respect for what remains above all—even when scientific technicalities are at stake—a private quest. One should primarily try to grasp the internal vision that nourishes the argument, and keep in mind that criticisms will always remain external. In other words, Bergson's famous hermeneutical claim boldly depicts the duty of every thinker. Now, if the Author explicitly brings into the picture the very personal significance of his inquiry, all this becomes only common-sense.

For those of us who are not experts in neuropsychological issues, this paper is very welcome since it systematically unfolds the circumambulative reasonings to be found in Brown's works and contrasts them with the current state of affairs in the field. We have here nothing less than the fascinating account of an ever-evolving discipline. After a quick synoptic view of the argument, we will address two main points: on the one hand, some minor difficulties are mentioned and, on the other, the nature of the expected existential impact of speculation is questioned.

The paper's main thesis is quite simple: whereas the purely analytic mode of understanding of neuropsychological issues does not lead anywhere—either scientifically or existentially—the synthetic understanding—and especially its holistic guise—allows the primacy of meaning while binding science and life again. The former provides only linear, disconnective and localized concepts; the latter makes the best of cyclical (including retroactive), connective and holistic ones. Machine-like functioning is replaced by organic growth, discrimination is always aimed at the full complexity of a vivid mentality that can never be totally abstracted from its environment. James already saw very clearly that “when we conceptualize, we cut out and fix, and exclude everything but what we have fixed. A concept means a that-and-no-other.” Reality, on the contrary, is in the making. Si