Rational Modification

Montfoort, J.C. van (Jan)
Nederland

Submission type

Oral only

Scheduled

Poster, Beurs van Berlage , Grote Zaal

Kernwoorden

Rationality, Epistemic Virtues, Universal

Onderzoeksgebied

Novel (therapeutic) approaches

Introductie

Our business is not just understanding clients although it might be a necessary condition for any Psychotherapy to be successful. According to many workers in the field Psychotherapy is also catching at something the opposite of which the Catcher in the Rye had in mind: instead of saving children from rationality, therapists are saving clients from falling into irrationality. Our clients are quite willing to be catched, both therapist and client being lured into this strong belief: that the client's actions must be wrong doing, beliefs wrong headed, wishes wrong impulsed and feelings wrong placed, at least in the lights of rationality. Meanwhile the concept of Rationality is a much disputed one. There are at least 26 “good” definitions of Rationality in Western Philosophy. We will discuss show that Rationality is no more than bridled irrationality. We will discuss the claim that Rationality is Universal for All Human Beings. We suggest that our rational therapist in fact is trying to teach her clients the Epistemic Virtues that belong to her local background and that they are applied guided by the circumstances. We reject the Universality of Rationality and the parochialism that comes with these Universal Claims.

Materiaal en methodes

power point