Description: William James made many references to pluralism throughout his career. Interestingly, many contemporary psychologists also discuss pluralism and indeed call for pluralism as a corrective to the discipline's philosophical and methodological foundations. Yet, pluralism and the purposes to which it is applied are understood in a variety of ways, and the relation of contemporary pluralism to the pluralism(s) of William James is uncertain. This book offers conceptual clarification in both contexts, first distinguishing diverse senses of pluralism in psychology and then systematically examining different forms of pluralism across the writings of James. A comparison of meanings and analysis of implications follows, aimed at illuminating what is at stake in ongoing calls for pluralism in psychology.
Brief description: Lisa M. Osbeck is Professor of Psychology at the University of West Georgia, USA. She is a past recipient of the Joseph B. Gittler award and the Arthur W. Staats lecture award from the American Psychological Foundation, and the William James Book award from the American Psychological Association (APA). Her authored works include Science as Psychology: Sense-Making and Identity in Science Practice (2010) and Values in Psychological Science (2019); her edited works include Rational Intuition (2014), Psychological Studies of Science and Technology (2019), and Person-Centered Studies in Psychology of Science (forthcoming, 2022).
Review Quotes: 'This book presents abundant evidence for the pluralism in William James's understanding of the human thought and action. It documents James's close reading of psychological and philosophical research and theorizing and shows that he intuited the directions of later psychological science. Holding this book's insights alongside the work of contemporary psychology offers potential to 'stretch the boundaries of psychological science.' For James's deliberate explorations, Araujo and Osbeck are sure-footed and intelligent guides.' Paul Croce, Stetson University