The new definition The new definition of psycheof psyche based on ideas ofbased on ideas of

Spinoza, Spinoza, Vygotsky, Vygotsky,

IlyenkovIlyenkov

Alexander Surmava

Those who have done the groundwork in Those who have done the groundwork in solving Ernst Haeckel’s solving Ernst Haeckel’s

“ “The Riddle of the Universe“The Riddle of the Universe“

1632 - 1677 1896 - 1934 1924 - 1979

The problem was formulated in XVII century by The problem was formulated in XVII century by

Rene Descartes as psychophysical problem.Rene Descartes as psychophysical problem.

The essence of psychophysical problem is how an independent from anynatural causality free will can resist the mechanic causality of a human’s body,how human’s “soul” or “thinking substance” can interact with human’s body or“extensive substance” to give the last a possibility to overcome its innate naturallimits and gives a human a quality of universality.

The psychophisical problem was The psychophisical problem was cracked by Spinozacracked by Spinoza

Spinoza found a very simple solution to it, brilliant in its simplicity for our day as well as his: the problem is insoluble only because it has been wrongly posed. There is no need to rack one’s brains over how the Lord God ‘unites’ ‘soul’ (thought) and ‘body’ in one complex, represented initially (and by definition) as different and even contrary principles allegedly existing separately from each other before the ‘act’ of this ‘uniting’ (and thus, also being able to exist after their ‘separation’; which is only another formulation of the thesis of the immortality of the soul, one of the cornerstones of Christian theology and ethics). In fact, there simply is no such situation; and therefore there is also no problem of ‘uniting’ or ‘co-ordination’ . There are not two different and originally contrary objects of investigation body and thought, but only one single object, which is the thinking body of living, real man (or other analogous being, if such exists anywhere in the Universe), only considered from two different and even opposing aspects or points of view. Living, real thinking man, the sole thinking body with which we are acquainted, does not consist of two Cartesian halves ‘thought lacking a body’ and a ‘body lacking thought’. In relation to real man both the one and the other are equally fallacious abstractions, and one cannot in the end model a real thinking man from two equally fallacious abstractions. That is what constitutes the real ‘keystone’ of the whole system, a very simple truth that is easy, on the whole, to understand. “Dialectical logic” Evald Ilyenkov

According to Spinoza “thinking” and “extension” must be According to Spinoza “thinking” and “extension” must be understood as attributes of one and the same subject.understood as attributes of one and the same subject.So they can’t be in mutual causal relationship. As Spinoza So they can’t be in mutual causal relationship. As Spinoza express this in his “Ethics” (Proposition 2, Part III)express this in his “Ethics” (Proposition 2, Part III)Body cannot determine mind to think, neither can mind Body cannot determine mind to think, neither can mind determine body to motion or rest or any state different from determine body to motion or rest or any state different from these, if such there be.these, if such there be.

thinkingthinking extensionextension

CauseCause

CauseCause

Just as profile of a human’s head can’t be a cause of its face and vice versa.Just as profile of a human’s head can’t be a cause of its face and vice versa.

When we consider a thinking in the most universal sense it is When we consider a thinking in the most universal sense it is obvious that the subject of those attributes is Deus sive obvious that the subject of those attributes is Deus sive Substantia sive Natura (Substance = God = Nature).Substantia sive Natura (Substance = God = Nature).We can imagine it this way:We can imagine it this way:

thinkingthinking extensionextension

Or more accurately - this way:Or more accurately - this way:

thinkingthinking extensionextension

But when we try to deal with a finite modus of thinking But when we try to deal with a finite modus of thinking say with a human being, what we have to imagine as a say with a human being, what we have to imagine as a real subject which has two attributive projections: real subject which has two attributive projections: thinking and extension? thinking and extension?

?

thinkingthinking extensionextension

““Physiologically acting brains”Physiologically acting brains” - that is - that is the answer of the answer of Ludvig Feierbach and a long row of following researchers

““thinking”thinking”

or all subjectiveor all subjectiveexperiencedexperienced

phenomenologyphenomenology

““extension” or all extension” or all objective physiological objective physiological

processesprocesses

Ludvig Feierbach XIX

Modern researchers XXI

A thinking body -A thinking body -a human or animal body acting in accordance with the a human or animal body acting in accordance with the

objective shapes of material world.objective shapes of material world.

““thinking”thinking”or all subjectiveor all subjective

experiencedexperiencedphenomenologyphenomenology

~1930 ~1970

““extension” or all extension” or all objective physical objective physical

movement of subject in movement of subject in the material worldthe material world

correlating it with the correlating it with the objects of the latter objects of the latter

If so the psychology haven’t search non-If so the psychology haven’t search non-existent psycho-physical andexistent psycho-physical and even lesseven less present psycho-physiological causalitiespresent psycho-physiological causalitiesas psycho-physiologists are used to do but as psycho-physiologists are used to do but

try to investigate the specific character of try to investigate the specific character of movement of live creature possessing the movement of live creature possessing the psyche in contrast to mechanically acting psyche in contrast to mechanically acting machines. machines.

Claude Bernard - a famous French physiologist and pathologist in his XIX century defined a life as an irritable process.The living organism reacts on a external stimulus with specific reaction so as the form of reaction has nothing to do with the form (shape) of stimulus but is fully depends on the construction of reacting organism.

Thus we can estimate Claude Bernard as one of classics of so called S-R, or Stimulus-Reactive approach.

1813-1878

A hundred years later Nikolai Bernstein – a great Russian physiologist put forward the genius idea that we cannot comprehend the life if we will try to understand it as a passive,Stimulus-Reactive process. Не estimated the Cartesian as well as Pavlov’s reflex arc as egregiously limited case in real life process and was the first who formulated the principals of object oriented or PREDMET activity. Thus he laid the foundation of a new consistently monistic materialistic physiology andpsychology and in his latest works proclaimeda necessity of building a new biology – a biology of activity. Now a 40 years after his death we can see thathis ideas substantially passed ahead of his time.

1896 - 1966

Unfortunately Alexei N. Leont'ev who started ascending from an abstractUnfortunately Alexei N. Leont'ev who started ascending from an abstractdefinition of life to concrete idea ofdefinition of life to concrete idea of human consciousness has taken as a human consciousness has taken as a germ cell of his theoretic movement Cloud Bernard’s comprehension ofgerm cell of his theoretic movement Cloud Bernard’s comprehension oflife as a passive “S-R” process instead oflife as a passive “S-R” process instead of consistent consistent Bernstein’s Bernstein’s activity approach. activity approach.

It was Ivan Petrovitch Pavlov who probably predetermined Leontiev’s choice.

Meanwhile starting from aboveMeanwhile starting from above--mentioned principals we tried to mentioned principals we tried to formulate a consistent definition of life formulate a consistent definition of life comprehended as an active process.comprehended as an active process.

Firstly, a living organism, in order to avoid being Firstly, a living organism, in order to avoid being passive only passive only in relation to its object but to be “active, in relation to its object but to be “active, striving or passionate” (A.N. Leont’yev) needs no striving or passionate” (A.N. Leont’yev) needs no external compulsion, cause or incitement (stimulus) in external compulsion, cause or incitement (stimulus) in order to direct its activity to the object but it develops its order to direct its activity to the object but it develops its activity activity spontaneouslyspontaneously. In other words, it acts as one . In other words, it acts as one must in relation to his object of passion.must in relation to his object of passion.

Secondly, the very object of a living organism is not Secondly, the very object of a living organism is not an accidental external thing but it is a thing an accidental external thing but it is a thing determined determined by the organism itselfby the organism itself as an object of its “passionate as an object of its “passionate striving”.striving”.

Thirdly and lastly, active subject-matter operation of a Thirdly and lastly, active subject-matter operation of a living organism is not a certain stir determined just from living organism is not a certain stir determined just from within but a known within but a known action according to the form of an action according to the form of an object object (predmet)(predmet) as as understood by Spinoza and understood by Spinoza and Ilyenkov.Ilyenkov.

We have underline, that listed above principles are We have underline, that listed above principles are constituting the theoretic definition of life as it is. constituting the theoretic definition of life as it is. In the most brief form they will look this way In the most brief form they will look this way

Activity (operation), in contrast to the principle Activity (operation), in contrast to the principle of passiveness (contemplation), of passiveness (contemplation), characterizes the following three qualities:characterizes the following three qualities:

1.1. Not reactivity, but Not reactivity, but spontaneityspontaneity;;2.2. Not an abstractly external object, but an Not an abstractly external object, but an

object object positionedpositioned by vital activity by vital activity of the of the subject itself, i.e. productivity;subject itself, i.e. productivity;

3.3. Not an Not an immanentimmanent “stir” but “stir” but an action an action according to the formaccording to the form ( (toto the the shapeshape) of an ) of an object. object.

SpontaneitySpontaneity

The first and the most abstract characteristic of life is its The first and the most abstract characteristic of life is its spontaneous activity. Absence of this spontaneity is spontaneous activity. Absence of this spontaneity is

equal to death. A living thingequal to death. A living thing doesn’t need any special doesn’t need any special invitation to be active.invitation to be active.

To live is to be active.To live is to be active.A living creatureA living creature deprivated from its spontaneous activitydeprivated from its spontaneous activity

will die.will die.In contrast with it mechanic or chemic objects will remainIn contrast with it mechanic or chemic objects will remain

their mechanic or chemic properties being isolated for their mechanic or chemic properties being isolated for any time from mechanic and chemic interaction. any time from mechanic and chemic interaction.

Predmet (object) Predmet (object) positioning or positioning or productivityproductivity For living subject does exist only those part of environment which For living subject does exist only those part of environment which

can be positioned by its spontaneous activity. can be positioned by its spontaneous activity. So called “visual field” is not presented toSo called “visual field” is not presented to

passive subject as a gift of his sensuality, but must be positioned passive subject as a gift of his sensuality, but must be positioned as an object (predmet) field by means of its special activity. Thus as an object (predmet) field by means of its special activity. Thus a rat being put into new cage running to and fro investigating the a rat being put into new cage running to and fro investigating the new space, marking the floor by its odorous footsteps in order to new space, marking the floor by its odorous footsteps in order to position those abstractly external circumstances as its predmet, or position those abstractly external circumstances as its predmet, or predmet field.predmet field.

So does a woman decorating a new flat and positioning it as her So does a woman decorating a new flat and positioning it as her family nest.family nest.

Consequently the object (predmet) doesn’t exist as such before its Consequently the object (predmet) doesn’t exist as such before its meeting with acting subject. As well as subject doesn’t exist as meeting with acting subject. As well as subject doesn’t exist as subject before the act of positioning of his object (predmet). Thus subject before the act of positioning of his object (predmet). Thus frequently mentioned by Leont’ev “an extraordinary act of meeting frequently mentioned by Leont’ev “an extraordinary act of meeting of subject with its object” is nothing more than old Cartesian tale. of subject with its object” is nothing more than old Cartesian tale.

ActionAction congruentcongruent toto thethe formform

((shapeshape) of an object.) of an object. TheThe first steps in comprehension a first steps in comprehension a

psychic form of activity as a mean to psychic form of activity as a mean to accommodate a movement of animal accommodate a movement of animal to theto the formform ( (shapeshape) of ) of its objective its objective circumstance was done by Russian circumstance was done by Russian physiologist Ivan Setchenov and physiologist Ivan Setchenov and zoologist Nikolai Severtsev.zoologist Nikolai Severtsev.1829-1905

Lately this idea was elaborated in ATLately this idea was elaborated in ATby Alexei Leont'evby Alexei Leont'evand Alexander Zand Alexander Zaporozhets aporozhets as an idea of perceptive activity plastically as an idea of perceptive activity plastically accommodating the object’s shape.accommodating the object’s shape.

1905 – 19811903- 1979

1866-1936

The unity of listed above three principles:The unity of listed above three principles:spontaneity, productivity and objectivity spontaneity, productivity and objectivity (predmetnost’) gives us a theoretic definition (predmetnost’) gives us a theoretic definition of life as it is.of life as it is.

All unicellular organisms meet the requirements of our definition, but have we any reason to believe that their activity can be estimated not merely as live but as psychic as well?

Back to antiqueBack to antique GreeceGreeceBoth Leont’ev and ZBoth Leont’ev and Zaporozhets followingaporozhets following in this case after in this case after

Vygotsky strongly distinguished between extra somatic or Vygotsky strongly distinguished between extra somatic or behavioral activity and intro somatic or behavioral activity and intro somatic or functionfunctional activity. al activity. They insisted that psyche is something essentially They insisted that psyche is something essentially connected with extra somatic, object oriented or connected with extra somatic, object oriented or “predmet” activity.“predmet” activity.

On the contrary they estimated the intro somatic On the contrary they estimated the intro somatic or or functionfunctional activity of an organism as al activity of an organism as a vegetative level of activity that is inherited from a vegetative level of activity that is inherited from vegetable ancestry of animals. The naïve idea vegetable ancestry of animals. The naïve idea that vegetables are in ancestry relation that vegetables are in ancestry relation to the animals they adopted from Aristotle withto the animals they adopted from Aristotle withhis distinction of three type of soles:his distinction of three type of soles:vegetable, animal and rational.vegetable, animal and rational.

The “The “stomach-achestomach-ache” ” problemproblem

If If Leont’ev and ZaporozhetsLeont’ev and Zaporozhets are right in their are right in their presuppositions a banal stomachpresuppositions a banal stomach--acheache turns into serious turns into serious problem for psychological activity theory.problem for psychological activity theory.

The perception of say a triangle one can consider as an The perception of say a triangle one can consider as an active vital movement accommodating the shape of active vital movement accommodating the shape of triangle.triangle.

But what one have to consider under stomachBut what one have to consider under stomach--ache?ache?

It’s well known that tooth-ache is not congruent to it’s cause It’s well known that tooth-ache is not congruent to it’s cause – a dentist's drill. Can we conclude from it – a dentist's drill. Can we conclude from it that the that the AT AT matches only for pure cognitive processes?matches only for pure cognitive processes?

What is an elementary What is an elementary unit of activity?unit of activity?

Is it an individual?

or

its organ?Like this?

What is an elementary What is an elementary unit of activity?unit of activity?

Surely the elementary unit of activity Surely the elementary unit of activity must be an alive body organ, must be an alive body organ, not a ham taken from not a ham taken from butcherbutcher shop :-). shop :-).

We can assume that when we deal witha multicellular organism we have to consider each motor element (muscle fiber) or group of elements (muscle spindle) dealing as a indivisiblewhole against its object (predmet)as an elementary unit of activity.Meanwhile speaking about an activity we have to point an object, predmet of this activity.

What is an object of activity of an What is an object of activity of an elementary unit?elementary unit?

It’s obvious that a dumbbell is It’s obvious that a dumbbell is a predmet of an organism a predmet of an organism as a whole.as a whole.

But is it a predmet of each of But is it a predmet of each of two muscles (I mean flexor two muscles (I mean flexor muscle as well as muscle as well as protractorprotractor)?)?

SURELY NOT!SURELY NOT!

Reflective relationReflective relation

Both muscles - flexor muscle as Both muscles - flexor muscle as well as well as protractorprotractor has nothing to has nothing to do with the weight of dumbbell do with the weight of dumbbell (that (that weight weight ofof cares lies on the cares lies on the shoulders of an organism as a shoulders of an organism as a whole). Both muscles are whole). Both muscles are dealing only with its reciprocal dealing only with its reciprocal antagonist.antagonist.

Thus the relations connecting Thus the relations connecting the reciprocal subactive units the reciprocal subactive units of living organism we define of living organism we define

as a as a reflective relationreflective relation..

Reflective relationReflective relationConcerning the elementary units of activity we define Concerning the elementary units of activity we define

them as them as subsubactive in contrast to activeness as such of active in contrast to activeness as such of an organism as a whole.an organism as a whole.

Thus we distinguish the basic form of vital activity – an Thus we distinguish the basic form of vital activity – an object oriented or predmet activity – and, starting from object oriented or predmet activity – and, starting from multicellular animas, the derivative form of activity - multicellular animas, the derivative form of activity - a reflective activity which acts against the oppositely a reflective activity which acts against the oppositely directed activity of another motor unit of the same directed activity of another motor unit of the same organism. organism.

A new definition of A new definition of psychepsyche

WeWe reveal a psychic or reveal a psychic or anan animalanimal typetype ofof vitalvital activity where activity where successive external object successive external object orientedoriented activity of an organism is activity of an organism is sublsublated simultaneous ated simultaneous predmet predmet activityactivity of its living sub-units, of its living sub-units, living organs related to each other living organs related to each other with some morpho-genetic or with some morpho-genetic or reflective relationships.reflective relationships.

A new definition of A new definition of psychepsyche

An objective operation of such an organism is not only a An objective operation of such an organism is not only a movement on the shape of the predmet field, not only abstractly movement on the shape of the predmet field, not only abstractly “external” action but it also necessarily is a reflective relation “external” action but it also necessarily is a reflective relation directed to itself, especial “internal” activity. That is the reason why directed to itself, especial “internal” activity. That is the reason why perception of any external object is affectively colored and ever perception of any external object is affectively colored and ever given to an animal not as its purely external objective activity but given to an animal not as its purely external objective activity but as its sensible (perceptible) form and internal bodily self-as its sensible (perceptible) form and internal bodily self-perception.perception.

““Human soul perceives any external bodyHuman soul perceives any external bodyas actually existing only through as actually existing only through the concept of the conditions of its own body”the concept of the conditions of its own body”(Spinoza, 1957, p. 407).(Spinoza, 1957, p. 407).To put it differently,To put it differently,sensation is not a precise mould of an objectsensation is not a precise mould of an objectbut it is reflective by its very nature.but it is reflective by its very nature.

To the identity of To the identity of affect and intellectaffect and intellect

Life of an organism realizing both active and reflective Life of an organism realizing both active and reflective relationships in the process of its vital activity presents a relationships in the process of its vital activity presents a fundamentally integral vital process where its structural fundamentally integral vital process where its structural elements are not isolated and fixed morphological units – elements are not isolated and fixed morphological units – cells or multi-cellular organisms – and much less abstract cells or multi-cellular organisms – and much less abstract physiological processes. They are active objective processes physiological processes. They are active objective processes not indifferent to each other, actively interacting with each not indifferent to each other, actively interacting with each other, determining each other so that they become a single other, determining each other so that they become a single dialectical ensemble in the end.dialectical ensemble in the end.

Life of such an organism, as viewed from its relation to the Life of such an organism, as viewed from its relation to the objective world, presents an extra- or intra-corporeal objective world, presents an extra- or intra-corporeal objective perception, “an action on the shape of an object”, objective perception, “an action on the shape of an object”, in terms of Spinoza and Ilyenkov, or an intellect. Life taken in in terms of Spinoza and Ilyenkov, or an intellect. Life taken in relation of an organism to itself is an interoceptive self-relation of an organism to itself is an interoceptive self-perception representing a sensitive texture of an objective perception representing a sensitive texture of an objective image, a self-oriented reflective activity, or an affect.image, a self-oriented reflective activity, or an affect.

Volvox the most primitive Volvox the most primitive organism possesing psycheorganism possesing psyche

The most elementary organism known to the The most elementary organism known to the science in which, according to the above- given science in which, according to the above- given criterion, psychics could and should be assumed criterion, psychics could and should be assumed is is VolvoxVolvox, a colonial green alga shaped like a , a colonial green alga shaped like a hollow sphere. Its cells joined together with thin hollow sphere. Its cells joined together with thin protoplasmic cross-pieces possess outwardly protoplasmic cross-pieces possess outwardly oriented flagella a coordinated operation of which oriented flagella a coordinated operation of which allows the whole organism to move actively in the allows the whole organism to move actively in the aquatic habitat. Each of the cells of aquatic habitat. Each of the cells of VolvoxVolvox feeds feeds on quite independently while the total objective on quite independently while the total objective activity of the whole organism mediate by activity of the whole organism mediate by reflective relation of its sub-active elements, i.e. reflective relation of its sub-active elements, i.e. cells, provides for locomotion of the whole cells, provides for locomotion of the whole organism oriented on the gradient of its objective organism oriented on the gradient of its objective field.field.

Such organisms (irrespective of the fact whether Such organisms (irrespective of the fact whether they are auto- or heterotrophic, i.e. whether we they are auto- or heterotrophic, i.e. whether we consider them to be either plants or animals) consider them to be either plants or animals) according to the above-cited definition, can according to the above-cited definition, can supposedly have a sensibility, or an elementary supposedly have a sensibility, or an elementary psyche. Its content is presented by some slightly psyche. Its content is presented by some slightly differentiated sense of the objective field differentiated sense of the objective field expressed in the form of equally slightly expressed in the form of equally slightly differentiated general corporeal self-perception or differentiated general corporeal self-perception or the affect.the affect.

The evolutionary roots of Zigmund The evolutionary roots of Zigmund Freud’s phenomenons Freud’s phenomenons

The next more highly organized animal surely worthy of The next more highly organized animal surely worthy of consideration in the evolutionary and psychological consideration in the evolutionary and psychological context is context is a hydraa hydra. It is a typical example of the . It is a typical example of the coelenterates leading a fixed mode of life. Its external coelenterates leading a fixed mode of life. Its external objective activity is performed by a great number of objective activity is performed by a great number of tentacles and by extension and contraction of all its tentacles and by extension and contraction of all its body whereas its internal activity is implemented by body whereas its internal activity is implemented by ciliary movement of some entodermic cells and again by ciliary movement of some entodermic cells and again by extension and contraction of all its body providing for extension and contraction of all its body providing for circulation of the contents of the gastrovascular cavity circulation of the contents of the gastrovascular cavity which is necessary for adequate digestion.which is necessary for adequate digestion.

Thus a hydra implements its extra- and intra-Thus a hydra implements its extra- and intra-corporeal activities by the same mechanism, i.e. corporeal activities by the same mechanism, i.e. contraction of the muscular fibers lying at the base contraction of the muscular fibers lying at the base of the entodermic cells and oriented along the body of the entodermic cells and oriented along the body of the hydra and entodermic cells forming circular of the hydra and entodermic cells forming circular muscular fibers. Activity of these muscular fibers in muscular fibers. Activity of these muscular fibers in their relation to the external world produces their relation to the external world produces something like locomotive and manipulative something like locomotive and manipulative mobility while in relation to the contents of the mobility while in relation to the contents of the gastrovascular cavity it forms the gastrovascular cavity it forms the gastrovascular peristalsis.gastrovascular peristalsis. Hidra

The solution of the The solution of the ““stomach-achestomach-ache” problem” problem

Thus the Thus the semi comic semi comic ““stomach-achestomach-ache” problem” problem comes to comes to its easy solution. The opposition of “behavior” and its easy solution. The opposition of “behavior” and “functioning” is not an opposition of object, predmet or “functioning” is not an opposition of object, predmet or animal and vegetable visceral activity, but mealy a animal and vegetable visceral activity, but mealy a distinction between phylogeneticly new predmet distinction between phylogeneticly new predmet activity and phylogeneticly old one.activity and phylogeneticly old one.

The former represent the substrate of fine external The former represent the substrate of fine external perceptions. The latter – the substance of obscure perceptions. The latter – the substance of obscure internal self sensations as well as affectivity as such. internal self sensations as well as affectivity as such.

A psyche as “jazz band”A psyche as “jazz band”

We can estimate an animal We can estimate an animal organism as an ensemble of sub organism as an ensemble of sub activeness which simulates to activeness which simulates to jazz band improvising its music, jazz band improvising its music, jazz band where each musician jazz band where each musician improvise its part issue from the improvise its part issue from the mutual artistic task.mutual artistic task.

Not a philharmonic orchestra where Not a philharmonic orchestra where each musicianeach musician plays the plays the predetermined part according the predetermined part according the score.score.

The The distinctiondistinction between an between an animal and a human beenganimal and a human beeng

A scheme of coordination of sub active A scheme of coordination of sub active muscles of the legs and trunk is muscles of the legs and trunk is inborn to foal. This scheme appears inborn to foal. This scheme appears as a result of multi age evolution. So as a result of multi age evolution. So a yang foal “knows” how to make use a yang foal “knows” how to make use of its legs and soon after his birth he of its legs and soon after his birth he stands and follows his mother. That stands and follows his mother. That is possible because the horses’ as is possible because the horses’ as well as all other animal species’ well as all other animal species’ habitat is something stable and habitat is something stable and elaborated by evolution means of elaborated by evolution means of object activity remains effective for object activity remains effective for each newborn individual. each newborn individual.

The The distinctiondistinction between an between an animal and a human beenganimal and a human beeng

??

But who knows where will live tomorrow this newborn child? Thus But who knows where will live tomorrow this newborn child? Thus all inborn schemes of predmet activity will be extremely all inborn schemes of predmet activity will be extremely ineffective.ineffective.

The speed of development of human culture is so much bigger than The speed of development of human culture is so much bigger than the one of natural evolution, that a human being has nothing to the one of natural evolution, that a human being has nothing to do but inherit all his psychic abilities in a substantially new not do but inherit all his psychic abilities in a substantially new not natural but entirely culture form. natural but entirely culture form.

A visceral stage A visceral stage

During he first two months as well as during 9 During he first two months as well as during 9 prenatal months of its lifeprenatal months of its life a leading baby’s a leading baby’s activity is entirely visceral. A life is substantially activity is entirely visceral. A life is substantially object or predmet oriented process but the only object or predmet oriented process but the only peristalsis including the “peristalsis” of hart, peristalsis including the “peristalsis” of hart, vascular vascular and and gastrointestinalgastrointestinal system and a system and a suckingsucking as its as its special case special case can be can be characterized as predmet process while the characterized as predmet process while the movement of hands and legs on this stage can movement of hands and legs on this stage can be estimated as subactive.be estimated as subactive.

Leading role of visceral activity on the early stage Leading role of visceral activity on the early stage of ontogenesis recapitulates its role in the early of ontogenesis recapitulates its role in the early stages of evolution. stages of evolution.

Meanwhile this stage is preparing to the most Meanwhile this stage is preparing to the most important event in its life - the establishing of important event in its life - the establishing of basically new – extra somatic reflective relation basically new – extra somatic reflective relation to anotherto another human being. human being.

The “complex of animation”The “complex of animation”

Its only extra-corporeal object positioned in Its only extra-corporeal object positioned in the act of sucking is the act of sucking is another human beinganother human being, , usually the mother of a newborn. Any usually the mother of a newborn. Any adult who acts at this stage as a universal adult who acts at this stage as a universal object for the baby (including his mother), object for the baby (including his mother), cannot be differentiated by the latter from cannot be differentiated by the latter from himself. Consequently, the relation of a himself. Consequently, the relation of a baby to another human being is at the baby to another human being is at the same time both objective and reflexive same time both objective and reflexive relationship.relationship.

The end of a newborn period is marked by the The end of a newborn period is marked by the split of this primordial identity. Abstract split of this primordial identity. Abstract sub-activity of the eyes of a baby is sub-activity of the eyes of a baby is focused on the meaningful center of his focused on the meaningful center of his mother’s face, on the triangle of her eyes mother’s face, on the triangle of her eyes and lips; the sucking lips of the baby (and lips; the sucking lips of the baby (we we repeat, that repeat, that sucking is nothing but a sucking is nothing but a modus of the same peristalsis) just for an modus of the same peristalsis) just for an instant stop its egoistic self-seeking instant stop its egoistic self-seeking activity and spontaneously greet the activity and spontaneously greet the mother with its first wide social smile mother with its first wide social smile positioning the same in answer. positioning the same in answer.

The human developmentThe human development

Thus another human being proves to be its first and Thus another human being proves to be its first and universal object. So for the first time a thousand universal object. So for the first time a thousand volt arc of the inter-subjective field begins to burn volt arc of the inter-subjective field begins to burn between the baby and another human being.between the baby and another human being.

At this stage, justly termed as “an animation At this stage, justly termed as “an animation complex”, this inter-subjective field is still void, it complex”, this inter-subjective field is still void, it has no external objectivity whatever. The baby has no external objectivity whatever. The baby and the adult enjoy the pure affect of their and the adult enjoy the pure affect of their “emotional communication”, meeting and finding “emotional communication”, meeting and finding each other. But this field would comprise very each other. But this field would comprise very soon all totality of the cultural objects beginning soon all totality of the cultural objects beginning with the proper organic corporeity of the baby and with the proper organic corporeity of the baby and the things the mode of action with which is set by the things the mode of action with which is set by culture. In the beginning, they would be presented culture. In the beginning, they would be presented as the organs of as the organs of another human beinganother human being not not distinguished from those of the baby and so able distinguished from those of the baby and so able to attract some affective activity of the baby to attract some affective activity of the baby directed to another human being. This is the directed to another human being. This is the activity which is formed, individually appropriated activity which is formed, individually appropriated and interiorized by the baby (actually as a system and interiorized by the baby (actually as a system of the internal, reflexive and affective of the internal, reflexive and affective relationships) in accordance with the cultural relationships) in accordance with the cultural norms and standards, ideal senses and meanings norms and standards, ideal senses and meanings presented in their total common and separate presented in their total common and separate animated activity with animated activity with another human beinganother human being and and consequently as an ideal form of the cultural consequently as an ideal form of the cultural things things per seper se..

To be continued :-)