Strong relationality and hermeneutic realism

a conversation with Brent D. Slife

Brent D. Slife

pp. 23-48

in: Heather Macdonald, David Goodman, Brian Becker (eds), Dialogues at the edge of American psychological discourse, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2017

Abstract

During this conversation Brent Slife draws upon the hermeneutic approach to critique the assumptions of psychological science. In particular, he raises concerns regarding its individualism, naturalism, dualism, and bias against religious and spiritual traditions. Slife proposes a strong relationality that views the individual as inextricably embedded in a relational context. From this perspective, identity should be understood within its deeply textured historical or religious traditions and communities. This gives rise to the importance of religion and spirituality as a common context that situates many individuals. Although Slife is principally inspired by the hermeneutist tradition, he also understands his concept of strong relationality to be aligned with Levinas's ethical philosophy in which the individual's phenomenological encounter with the Other is always a radical moral calling.

Cited authors

Levinas Emmanuel

Slife Brent D.