On 23 Mar 2004, Allen Esterson wrote: > judging by > the dubious passage reproduced above purportedly quoting Spitzer > verbatim, and the letters from other psychologists denying they said > what Slater claims they said, the cover of *Opening Skinner�s Box* > should have a cautionary label: read with care and don�t assume the > accounts and quoted conversations provided in this book are accurate.
Well, actually I agree with Allen (see, Beth, we're not arguing, we're discussing) but just to play devil's advocate, the first step people who have been made to look foolish by their own words take is to deny they ever said it. A good journalist would be able to provide a tape recording in support of the accuracy of what she claims they said. This reminds me of the famous incident where Janet Malcolm (who wrote "In the Freud Archives") was sued by Jeffrey Masson (who wrote "The Assault on Truth"). Apparently, Masson didn't like the unflattering treatment he received from Malcolm. I recall that the judge dismissed the case, nevertheless agreeing that Malcolm had indeed made up her quotes attributed to Masson, but added the extraordinary statement that if she had used what he really said, it would have made him look much worse! (and I just told Allen no more TIPS for me now that the strike is over until I catch up with my classes!) Question to ponder given our discussion of Slater's book. Do (allegedly) bad books which attract controversy deserve a place in a university library? Stephen ___________________________________________________ Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661 Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://faculty.frostburg.edu/psyc/southerly/tips/index.htm _______________________________________________ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
