Neonate Crusoes, the private language argument and psychology

This article questions social constructionists' claims to introduce Wittgen stein's philosophy to psychology. The philosophical fiction of a neonate Cr usoe is introduced to cast doubt oil the interpretations and use of the pri vate language argument to support a new psychology developed by the constru ctionists. It is argued that a neonate Crusoe's viability in philosophy and apparent absence ill psychology offends against the integrity of the philo sophical contribution Wittgenstein might make to psychology. The consequenc es of accepting Crusoe's viability are explored as they appear in both phil osophy and psychology.