ABOUT THE METHOD TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEM-SOLVING

A theory of problem solving should prescribe how to search for solutions. In view of the poor theoretical progress the real hindrances are explored in order to develop a more appropriate method. Reasons are given that the investigation of human problem solving (empirism of subjects) must be preceded by that of an objective problem solving (empirism of objects). The latter not only refers to those objective worlds from which the objective problems and its solutions are coming, but also in deriving the knowledge of how to search for these solutions, i. e., from a priori given natural structures and laws which must be known for an effective process of searching. Exemplarily it is demonstrated how such knowledge of objective conditions of searching can be discovered (e. g., laws of mutual determination of a whole and its parts). Different processes of searching seem to reflect different stages of developed solving experience, thus constituting a continuum of more-or-less effective knowledge. In particular it is possible to locate that of the researcher. It is shown how his/her solving knowledge can lead to a subjective observation of other knowledges, and also how this could be overcome.