Why Do You Feel This Is So - 1960 Words

Antonia Sawyer P459 Scholars Dialog Dr. Christina Downey Fall 2014 Moderator: Dr. William James, it is no secret that your theory of pragmatism has been questioned, but found more successful than Dr. E.B. Titchner’s. Why do you feel this is so? James: Well Mrs. Sawyer, when considering Dr. Titchner’s work, I would have to say it is the lack of individuality that has created structuralism’s downfall. You see, Dr. Titchner focuses on reducing the experiences of the mind to several thousand sensory images. These images are then applied to every individual within the universe. This application de-individualizes the mindful process of experience, and fails to acknowledge that no two experiences are alike; nor are they the same for†¦show more content†¦In the event I find structuralism to be scientifically accurate, it would be impossible to not accept the findings personally. This is on the bases that one cannot choose to ignore or not believe in scientifically proven facts. It seems as though if an individual is doing this, they are placing their own meaning or interpretation onto the findings. This is something that needs to be avoided, and can lead to viewing the findings with a more applied psycho logy approach rather than a scientific one. Watson: I would have to agree with Dr. Titchner, I to feel all subjectivity as well as interpretations must be removed from the scientific aspect of experimentation and its findings. Although I do not seek to describe and explain consciousness, I do desire to predict and control it. It is this desire to predict consciousness that seems to be the closest commonality I can find with Dr. Titchner. Titchner: Dr. Watson, I think we may be able to have more in common as soon as it is realized that in order to understand behavior, we must first use introspection to discover the workings of the mind. Watson: Are you insinuating that all must first use your introspective techniques, Dr. Titchner? I mean, you have made it more than clear that your theory is only practicable by you; hence its unsuccessfulness. Moderator: I am sorry if you feel targeted Dr. E.B. Titchner, but with your previous statement regarding pragmatism, I