MULTI-PARADIGM COGNITION: PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS

Abstract

Introduction. This article delves into specific features of intellection and develops a framework of multi-paradigm cognition targeted at the acquisition, accumulation, and growth of knowledge. Specifically, it focuses on levels and paths of cognition, and examines mental operations through which complex cognitive activity may be carried out. Besides, this paper addresses cognitive performance of subjects, which is studied in terms of their profiles, conceptual systems, worldviews, mental operations, epistemic styles, types of thinking, etc. The article also prioritizes the significance of epistemological / gnoseological pluralism and a combination of rational, sensory and experimental constituents in a cognitive process. Additionally, this paper promotes the idea of interaction between manifold paradigms of cognition, which may result in the emergence of multi-paradigm epistemological systems and cascade models conducive to intellectual development of an individual.

The purpose of this article is to reveal the concept of cognition, characterize it from various perspectives, expose its stages, and elucidate a spiral framework of cognition expanding and elaborating on the model of knowledge develop-ment devised by K. Popper.

Results. Employing the methods of theoretical positioning, comparative analysis and qualitative research, the article advances and interprets a spiral model of cognition presuming knowledge discovery, accumulation and progression in the course of multifaceted mental activities.

Conclusion. The process of active cognition resulting in an individual’s knowledge space and intellectual development follows an established algorithm, which is spiral in nature. It implies an incremental progressing through definite stages, each of which is aimed at completing concrete intermediate tasks and arriving at a sought-for solution to the problem. At that, cognizing subjects tend to mentally mature alongside the process of resolving the problem and hence, intellectually benefit from it. The possible solution to the problem may appear dependent upon cognitive profiles of individuals (embracing their worldviews, epistemic styles, types of thinking, scopes of knowledge, etc.).