Crazy children, fantastical theories, and the many uses of metaphysics

Abstract

Woolley rightly challenges the incredible idea, held by some adults, that it is children who are peculiarly "fantastical" in their thinking. However, Woolley expresses little appreciation for "fantastical thinking" as it underlies the capacity for both grand delusions and amazing insights. In reducing "fantastical thinking" to conceptual error, she overlooks the mythical underpinnings of her own theorizing and neglects the many constructive roles of "fantastical thinking" in development.