A Psychology of Freedom and Dignity - by E Harcum (Hardcover)

About the Book

Harcum maintains that the proper assumptions about human nature are established by their relative utility in solving existing human problems. In order to facilitate solutions to familiar problems of daily living, the author advocates a definition of the science of psychology that includes the concepts of human freedom and intrinsic dignity. The author emphasizes the importance of the free will concept to behavioral scientists and practitioners as well as to citizens of the general population who, perhaps without realizing it, are forced users of behavioral science. The author's intention is to show that our cherished beliefs in the concepts of freedom and dignity are consistent with scientific principles and thus will become a vital part of a scientifically designed culture.

Book Synopsis

Harcum maintains that the proper assumptions about human nature are established by their relative utility in solving existing human problems. In order to facilitate solutions to familiar problems of daily living, the author advocates a definition of the science of psychology that includes the concepts of human freedom and intrinsic dignity. The author emphasizes the importance of the free will concept to behavioral scientists and practitioners as well as to citizens of the general population who, perhaps without realizing it, are forced users of behavioral science. The author's intention is to show that our cherished beliefs in the concepts of freedom and dignity are consistent with scientific principles and thus will become a vital part of a scientifically designed culture.

Review Quotes

.,."This book is a careful, scholarly effort to deal with the concepts of free will and determinism, organized around issues raised by Skinner's writings."-Contemporary Psychology

?...This book is a careful, scholarly effort to deal with the concepts of free will and determinism, organized around issues raised by Skinner's writings.?-Contemporary Psychology

..."This book is a careful, scholarly effort to deal with the concepts of free will and determinism, organized around issues raised by Skinner's writings."-Contemporary Psychology

About the Author

RAE HARCUM is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the College of William and Mary. Professor Harcum is the author of Serial Learning and Paralearning (1975), Psychology for Daily Living (1979) and The Gatekeeper of Psychology (with Ellen Rosen) (1993), as well as numerous journal articles. He has been elected as Fellow of the American Psychological Association, the American Psychological Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.