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Early in 1986 I invited Professor Robinson to collaborate on a volume of the Annals devoted to the theme of the 'person' in psychology. He accepted my invitation later that year suggesting, instead, that the volume be devoted to the theme of explanation in psychology. I gladly compromised for, as I knew from his exterisive writings on the history and philosophy of psychology, the concept of explanation is firmly rooted in philosophical anthropology. The contributions by Rom Harre, James Lamiell, Joseph Margolis, and George Miller were available in June, 1988, and the commentaries and replies to commentaries early in 1989. Fortunately, foundational papers wear well, as the content of the present volume so aptly testifies. Beginning with Volume 6, the Annals will be entirely edited and prepared using the computer facilities at our Center. Thanks to the dedicated effort of my colleague, Professor William Baker, this is the first volume produced from camera-ready copy. His personal support and technical expertise made the transition to desk-top publishing somewhat less than formidable. Mrs. Valerie Welch, our Center secretary, entered the text and managed my personal correspondence; Casey Boodt proofread the entire manuscript; and the University of Alberta continues to support my involvement with this series. Dan Robinson's commitment to scholarship also extends to the more mundane task of editing. Every volume with a co-editor is a challenge; he made this one a delight.
List of contents
1 Introduction: Explications of Explanations.- 2 On Explanation.- 3 Explicating Actions.- 4 The Need for a Radically New Human Science.- 5 Explaining Actions.- 6 Explicating Actions: Reply to Commentaries.- 7 Explanation in Psychology.- 8 The Scope of Psychological Explanation.- 9 Locating Agency.- 10 Explanation in Psychology: Reply to Commentaries.- 11 Explanation in the Psychology of Personality.- 12 For Whom the Bell Curve Toils: Universality in Individual Differences Research.- 13 Individual Differences and the Explanation of Behavior.- 14 Are Individual Persons Motivated to Construct Categories or Do They Merely Intend Meanings?.- 15 Let's Be Careful Out There: Reply to Commentaries.- of Earlier Volumes.- Author Index.
