A Conceptual Analysis of the Funds of Knowledge and Identity Approach from an Eco-functional Perspective

Abstract

The article situates the Funds of Knowledge (FoK) approach and the Funds of Identity (FoI) theory in the context of the eco-functional perspective. It proposes to understand the “funds” as external factors of extra-cerebral organizations, as both refer to products of historically accumulated social labor. Furthermore, the article lays out that similar to the dynamic features of external factors in developing functional psychic organizations, funds of knowledge and identity have to be considered specific to a social and developmental context. It is found that Vygotsky’s concept of perezhivanie and Holzkamp’s concept of position-specificity may provide a valid framework for realization of this dynamic understanding of FoK and FoI.