Pragmatism, constructivism, and ethics

Journal/Book: J Constr Psychol. 2000; 13: 325 Chestnut St, Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA. Taylor & Francis Inc. 85-101.

Abstract: Stojnov (1996) has argued that personal construct psychology furnishes us with a universalist, as opposed to a relativist, ethics. This is a universalism of form rather than content of construing we have a ''personal responsibility of knowledge.'' The author critiques Stojnov's view, arguing that the Sociality Corollary does indeed provide an ethical basis for Kelly's thought. However, he contends that the construct universalism/relativism is of limited value, and that the apparent relativism in constructivism provides a valuable guide to moral construing It is argued that the certainty that comes from moral absolutism readily leads not to moral action, but to moralism. The foundationlessness of constructivism provides a, valuable counterbalance to this moralism.

Note: Article Butt T, Univ Huddersfield, Sch Human Hlth Sci, Dept Behav Sci, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, W Yorkshire, ENGLAND

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