Traditional sources of morality-philosophical ethics, religious standards, and cultural values-are being questioned at a time when we most need morality's direction. Research shows that though moral direction is vital to our identities, happiness, productivity and relationships, there is a decline in its development and use, especially among younger adults. This book argues that hermeneutic moral realism is the best hope for meeting the twenty-first century challenges of scientism, individualism, and postmodernism. In addition to providing a thorough understanding of moral realism, the volume also takes preliminary steps toward its application in important practical settings, including research, psychotherapy, politics, and publishing.

Routledge International Handbook of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology is a compilation of works by leading scholars in theoretical and philosophical psychology that offers critical analyses of, and alternatives to, current theories and philosophies typically taken for granted in mainstream psychology. Within their chapters, the expert authors briefly describe accepted theories and philosophies before explaining their problems and exploring fresh, new ideas for practice and research. These alternative ideas offer thought-provoking ways of reinterpreting many aspects of human existence often studied by psychologists. Organized into five sections, the volume covers the discipline of psychology in general, various subdisciplines (e.g., positive psychology and human development), concepts of self and identity as well as research and practice. Together the chapters present a set of alternative ideas that have the potential to take the field of psychology in fruitful directions not anticipated in more traditional theory and research. This handbook will be a valuable resource for students and scholars of the theory, assumptions, and history of psychology.

"The contributors are an esteemed group that have played significant roles in shaping contemporary understanding of the issues they will be addressing. The number of chapters coincides with the number of weeks in a typical semester, increasing its use as a course text."

?Brian Vandenberg, University of Missouri-St. Louis

A landmark publication, Critical Issues in Psychotherapy moves the discipline into the new millennium by addressing many of the field?s new and revolutionary approaches. Through illustrative therapy cases and practitioner commentaries, this text examines both the newer and the more established models in psychotherapy. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, this volume translates the new approaches to psychotherapy, making them more accessible to students. Organized around the issues that are fundamental to psychotherapy, chapters include information on empirically validated treatments, mainstream theories, individualism, spirituality, multiculturalism, moral and legal discourse, and managed care. Bringing together an esteemed group of authorities, this will be the ideal text for students in advanced courses in psychotherapy and counseling practice and theory.

Traditional sources of morality-philosophical ethics, religious standards, and cultural values-are being questioned at a time when we most need morality's direction. Research shows that though moral direction is vital to our identities, happiness, productivity and relationships, there is a decline in its development and use, especially among younger adults. This book argues that hermeneutic moral realism is the best hope for meeting the twenty-first century challenges of scientism, individualism, and postmodernism. In addition to providing a thorough understanding of moral realism, the volume also takes preliminary steps toward its application in important practical settings, including research, psychotherapy, politics, and publishing.

By revealing underlying assumptions that influence the field of psychology, The Hidden Worldviews of Psychology's Theory, Research, and Practice challenges psychologists to reconsider the origins of ideas they may take as psychological truths. Worldviews, or the systems of assumptions that provide a framework for psychological thinking, have great influence on psychological theory, research, and practice. This book attempts to correct assumptions by describing the worldviews that have shaped psychological theory, practice, and research and demonstrating how taking worldviews into account can greatly advance psychology as a whole.

In Critical Thinking About Psychology: Hidden Assumptions and Plausible Alternatives contributors examine the unquestioned givens of psychology and suggest other ways of looking at them. Psychologists are taught early in their careers to use their research findings to examine common myths and debunk false beliefs. Yet, in spite of this emphasis on critical analysis, psychologists do not typically subject psychology itself to such evaluation. In this fascinating volume, experts from varied subdisciplines critique assumptions peculiar to their specialty and then propose alternatives to replace the original assumptions. The book covers six major psychology subdisciplines, ranging from clinical psychology to neuropsychology. Contributors critique unquestioned tenets of the field such as the dualism between mind and body, the truth of efficient causation, and the discrete unit known as the individual. Authors then provide alternative ways of seeing the field, such as nondualistic models of the self and a moral vision of human development, effectively creating new conceptual ground for psychology. In analyzing what is taken for granted, this volume teaches critical thinking skills at the same time that it moves psychology in exciting new directions.

"The contributors are an esteemed group that have played significant roles in shaping contemporary understanding of the issues they will be addressing. The number of chapters coincides with the number of weeks in a typical semester, increasing its use as a course text."

?Brian Vandenberg, University of Missouri-St. Louis

A landmark publication, Critical Issues in Psychotherapy moves the discipline into the new millennium by addressing many of the field?s new and revolutionary approaches. Through illustrative therapy cases and practitioner commentaries, this text examines both the newer and the more established models in psychotherapy. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, this volume translates the new approaches to psychotherapy, making them more accessible to students. Organized around the issues that are fundamental to psychotherapy, chapters include information on empirically validated treatments, mainstream theories, individualism, spirituality, multiculturalism, moral and legal discourse, and managed care. Bringing together an esteemed group of authorities, this will be the ideal text for students in advanced courses in psychotherapy and counseling practice and theory.

"Slife and Williams present a compelling and potentially controversial look at the implicit underpinnings of behavioral research. The do an admirable job of specifically describing the 'embedded ideas' of some of the most commonly accepted behavioral theories. . . . Well written, concise, and well thought out; arguments are made in readable fashion, suitable for scholar and nonscholar alike." --Choice "The manuscript completely captivated me around the middle of Chapter 2 with 'Eclectic Theories,' where I began reading with absorption in order to process ideas for myself, instead of reading on the surface to see what the author was about. Again and again I found myself pausing to contemplate provocative one-liners. . . . Throughout, the philosophical inquiry seems to me profound and enchanting, with an original and compelling synthesis." --Maria Arrigo, Psychology Graduate Student, Claremont Graduate School "These authors have an uncanny ability of identifying, as they would say, 'hidden' issues and assumptions that permeate the behavioral sciences. The arguments they marshall are most compelling and deserving of serious consideration by devoted professionals, students, or lay persons. Hopefully, with the publication of the book such consideration will at long last be realized." --Jeffrey P. Lindstrom, Fontbonne College, Missouri "This book will stimulate more dialogue; it is long overdue. Thanks to the lucid writing style, sensible organization, and occasional recapitulations in the text, the book will also be accessible to advanced undergraduates and graduates. I plan to require the book in at least one of my courses." --Allan W. Wicker, Center for Organizational and Behavioral Science, The Claremont Graduate School "This book is important for cultivating a view of behavioral sciences as something far more important than a collection of techniques for gathering and analyzing data. I would recommend it to my colleagues in educational psychology who teach psychological foundations." --Thomas A. Schwandt, School of Education, Indiana University "To my mind, the finest feature of this book--at the level of a near miracle--is the author's clear and engaging explanation of complex, subtle, and counter-intuitive ideas. This amazing pedagogical achievement should stand as an example to philosophers. I am also struck by the author's affection for the reader. The prose is simple because the author wants to make a real connection with the reader; there is no feeling of condescension for the novice or the commercial market. It is a loving instead of a battering style of philosophical disclosure, which did not occur to the philosophical giants whose works the author mercifully interprets for the reader." --Maria Arrigo, Psychology Graduate Student, Claremont Graduate School "Each chapter consistently follows a similar outline. Introductions and conclusions genuinely assist the reader, as do references back to earlier segments. Daily life examples bring the text to life. The book is designed to engage the reader. Addressing the root metaphor of each theory is effective. Most issues that concerned me wound up being addressed as I went along (which amazed me given such a short volume written to be understood by undergraduates)." --Constance T. Fischer, Department of Psychology, Duquesne University Aimed at facilitating critical theoretical thinking in the behavioral sciences, What's Behind the Research? explores the main assumptions that behavioral science theories are based on and offers some alternatives to these assumptions. The book begins with a review of the major theoretical approaches in the behavioral sciences (psychoanalysis, behaviorism, humanism, cognitivism, eclecticism, structuralism, and postmodernism) and examines which assumptions are made versus those that are overlooked in these theories. The next four chapters reveal and discuss the key assumptions of the theories (knowing, determinism, reductionism, and science) by tracing the intellectual history of these conceptions, followed by a presentation of contrasting options. The book concludes with an examination of possible ways to come to terms with some of the inadequacies in the assumptions of the behavioral sciences. Readers will find that this book will enable them to make better choices in doing their research and in critical theoretical thinking.