**THIS POST IS NOT ABOUT SUBMISSION OR RELIGION, SO PLEASE READ ON. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LENGTH OF THE POST, BUT THERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL SITUATIONS THAT I WANTED TO RAISE.**
Louis, your point is very well-taken. As I have reviewed my own recent posts on this topic, I am painfully aware that the tone in my posts was not the tone that I wanted to convey. There is a fine line between righteous and self-righteous. I'm afraid that I inadvertently crossed that line and in the process acted just like that type of Christian that even I myself find offensive. From the perspective of own religious heritage, Jesus never forced his beliefs on anyone. He simply presented his position and then let people respond in whatever manner they chose to respond. I hope that I will show that wisdom and discernment in the future. I agree that the discussion of submission is relatively insignificant and not likely to have any relevance for teaching psychology. A more significant topic, and perhaps a topic more appropriate for this listserve, concerns the issue of how one's underlying worldview influences his or her educational philosophy. Recent posts reflect the great tension between theistic worldviews and naturalistic worldviews. I assert, however, that both theistic and naturalistic worldviews are based on contrasting underlying assumptions that cannot be proven scientifically and can only be relied upon by faith. In a previous post I discussed an multidimensional educational model that describes all disciplines in terms of ontological, phenomenological, and ethical dimensions. This model was initially proposed by Ron Highfield at Pepperdine University. From the perspective of this model, all of us likely teach similar content (the phenomenological dimension) in our psychology classrooms. Many of us also teach the underlying philosophical and theoretical assumptions behind our discipline (the ontological dimension) as well as the practical applications of our discipline (the ethical dimension)? I suggest that the differences between theistic and naturalistic worldviews become most apparent when we are discussing the ontological and ethical dimensions of psychology. Take the issue of teaching humanistic personality theories. These theories are almost uniformly taught and discussed from a naturalistic worldview. Humanistic theories are based on the idea that we have the inborn ability to self-actualize. Although different humanistic theories will use different terminology, most propose that all people have an innate tendency to develop their capacities to the fullest and in ways that will either maintain or enhance their own well-being. For example, Rogers talks about the organismic valuing process as an inherent capacity to choose that which will enhance us and reject that which does not. This organismic valuing process is presumed to be an infallible and instinctive compass or guide for choice and action. I teach all of this material and more to my students. It is an important part, I believe, of teaching my students about psychology. When we investigate the ontological dimension of humanistic theory, however, one of the underlying assumption that we encounter is that all people are born with an innate tendency to develop their capacities to the fullest and in ways that will either maintain or enhance their own well-being. Is this underlying assumption true? Can it be unequivocally and scientifically proven? Or is it simply accepted on faith? If you believe this assumption to be true, what is the source of this innate tendency? Someone from a naturalistic worldview would likely assert that natural causes alone are sufficient to explain this tendency? Someone from a theistic worldview would likely assert that a transcendent higher power created this innate drive? Where is the scientific evidence for either of these claims? There is none, because these are not questions that the scientific method can answer. In other words, whether or not someone discusses this underlying assumption from a theistic or naturalistic worldview, both are ultimately relying on faith. When I discuss this with my students at the privately-funded, religiously-affiliated university where I work, I certainly feel free to share my theistic perspective as we evaluate these underlying assumptions of humanism, but I also share with them how a naturalistic worldview would evaluate such underlying assumptions. In the process, I encourage them to critically evaluate these assumptions from different worldviews. This is more, I have to say, than many of my own psychology professors did in their classrooms. I remember many psychology professors who specifically taught atheistic perspectives and even some who went as far to denigrate theistic worldviews. I suppose we are all either implicitly or explicitly teaching some type of worldview. I'm curious about what others think about the influence of worldviews on educational models. Is it important for us to teach the ontological and ethical dimensions of psychology? How do our own worldviews influence what we do in the classroom? Is it possible to teach psychology from a theistic worldview? Is there any benefit in teaching psychology from a theistic worldview? Should psychology only be taught from a naturalistic worldview? Have some people elevated "science" from a tool or method to a worldview? Given the extremely high percentage of Americans who profess a faith in a supernatural power of some type, I think these are important questions to address. And I also think that these questions are appropriate to address on this listserve, as they directly impact how I, and others who serve at religiously-affiliated colleges and universities, teach the discipline of psychology. I look forward to hearing your responses. Rod Hetzel _____________________________________________ Roderick D. Hetzel, Ph.D. Department of Psychology LeTourneau University Post Office Box 7001 2100 South Mobberly Avenue Longview, Texas 75607-7001 Office: Heath-Hardwick Hall 115 Phone: 903-233-3312 Fax: 903-233-3246 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage: http://www.letu.edu/people/rodhetzel --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
