Primer in Critical Personalism

<P>This insightful book offers contemporary psychologists and other social theorists an understanding of the comprehensive system of thought developed by the German scholar William Stern (1871–1938) known as critical personalism.</P><P>Expanding the author’s ongoing efforts in this area, the book considers, firstly, how critical personalism could ground a needed revival of psychological science, a need created by the field''s gradual transformation, through its widespread adoption of aggregate statistical methods of investigation, into a discipline better characterized as ''psycho-demography.'' Consistent with Stern''s own view of the potential of critical personalism <EM>vis-a-vis</EM> socio-ethical concerns, the book then explores how the framework could facilitate a transcendence of thinking about racial and other social relationships beyond currently prevailing narratives about <EM>personkinds</EM> into narratives that are actually about <EM>persons.</EM> This part of the book includes a chapter discussing Stern''s own historical efforts in this direction, serving to highlight the non-individualistic nature of critically personalistic thinking. Throughout, Lamiell constructs a clear case for the merits and applicability of critical personalism in modern psychology and social thought.</P><P><I>Primer in Critical Personalism</I> will interest established psychological scientists and advanced students in the field, as well as those who are concerned about our contemporary socio-cultural ethos and the prospects for its improvement, including philosophers, sociologists, educators, journalists, clerics, and thoughtful laypersons alike.</P>