The current prominent influence of the theories of L. S. Vygotsky on studies of education, particularly of pedagogic practice, requires a re-examination. The dominance of deficient editions of his writings has had regrettable consequences such as a misplaced reading of the ‘one of proximal development’ The publication of his recent, albeit incomplete, Collected Works in English affords an opportunity to reassess Vygotsky' work. Potential areas for such rethinking include: a comparison between his work and influence with that of Piaget; Vygotsky' own epistemology and methodology; and the relevance of his approach to contemporary concerns.