The limits of psychological critique

Kenneth J. Gergen

pp. 135-142

in: Stam, Leendert Mos, Warren Thorngate, Bernie Kaplan (eds), Recent trends in theoretical psychology, Berlin, Springer, 1993

Abstract

Critique of existing metatheory, theory and methods has become increasingly widespread. Its prevalence in psychology is strongly supported by developments in post-empiricist philosophy, post-structuralism, and ideological criticism. However, the critical impulse as thus far realized possesses significant shortcomings. It is symbiotically related to that which is placed in question, it promotes community atomization and antagonism, and it is itself totalizing in implication. Further, much contemporary critique is self-negating. Dialogue is invited in searching for ways of subverting such effects without losing the essential content. A preliminary case is made for a stance of dialectical irony and for argumentation from nowhere.