| Abstract: | Comments on an article by Rolland Waters (see record 1959-07228-001). The commentator states that this article has motivated him to make an observation about another situation which some persons perceive as a dilemma in psychology. He refers to the paradox of free will versus determinism in human behavior. The commentator states that the fact that some persons are still disturbed by the free will-determinism paradox is evidence that philosophical thinking in psychology is still somewhat confused. This would not be the case if psychological thinking was completely operational as most psychologists claim it should be. The bewilderment when faced with this apparent paradox is simply a function of language and not of human behavior. The commentator states that what we are doing is to employ two modes of thought or frames of reference simultaneously where this cannot be done. Lastly, the commentator admits that he may be incorrect in assuming that psychologists in general are not aware of this philosophical interpretation. However, the fact that the free will determinism paradox is still cited in many current works reinforces his belief. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
