One corrective principle that I try to inject into my work is the notion
of mutual benefits to be derived by both theory and practice from
critically examining their interface. Not only is "nothing so practical as
a good theory," (Kurt Lewin), but also "an actor who is oriented to
understanding in this sense <that his or her contention is 'open to
objective appraisal'> must raise at least three validity claims with his
(or her) utterance": instrumental fit with the objective world; normative
fit with social expectations; and authenticity (Jurgen Habermas).
Robert
Robert Serpell tel: ( 410 ) 455 2417
Psychology Department 455 2567
University of Maryland Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore MD 21250 fax: ( 410 ) 455 1055