Acts of Meaning

Jerome Bruner's *Acts of Meaning* stands as a seminal work, challenging the prevailing computational models of the mind that dominated psychology during the cognitive revolution. Bruner contends that this focus on the mind as a mere "information processor" has inadvertently steered the discipline away from its more profound and essential aim: understanding the mind as a dynamic *creator* of meaning. He argues that by breaking free from the rigid constraints of the information-processing paradigm, we can unlock a richer understanding of the intricate, reciprocal relationship between the human mind and its cultural context, recognizing how our minds actively shape culture, and in turn, are shaped by it. This book is a cornerstone of Bruner's later work and a vital contribution to cognitive science, developmental psychology, and cultural studies. It persuasively argues for a humanistic approach to understanding the mind, emphasizing narrative, interpretation, and the social construction of reality. *Acts of Meaning* offers a powerful critique of purely mechanistic views of cognition, advocating instead for an approach that acknowledges the inherent subjectivity and cultural embeddedness of human experience. For anyone seeking to understand how we make sense of the world, and how that sense-making is inextricably linked to our cultural inheritance and creations, this book is an indispensable exploration of the human condition.