Abstract

This work begins with the humanistic psychologists' criticism of behaviorism and other mechanical trends in psychology. As the work develops, it encompasses the humanists' criticisms within Vico's broader and more coherent critique of, and his positive historical and philosophical alternative to mechanical philosophy and psychology. The work concludes with the beginnings of a new paradigm for psychological research and practice. The new perspective includes, situates, and connects the relative truths of mechanical, humanistic, and other partial psychological trends. The new Vichian perspective also relates the various psychological trends to relevant similar ones in a wide variety of fields, and in the process, encompasses many post-mechanical thinkers not currently used in the efforts to construct a complete and coherent psychology.