Abraham Maslow’s Taoistic Science: Experimental methods and experiential modes
Transpersonal Psychology Review 2013 DOI: 10.53841/bpstran.2013.15.2.3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Maslow placed central importance on Taoism, especially Wu Wei (non-interference), as a basis for transforming psychology and the scientific method from a 'controlling science' to a 'Taoistic science,' and that Needham similarly argued Taoism was historically central to Chinese scientific thought. The paper also considers the extent to which Maslow's vision has been realized in recent Transpersonal Psychology debates about research methods and validity. |
Abstract
Abraham Maslow was and remains arguably one of the most important and influential figures in both Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology circles. This paper explores and evaluates the emphasis placed by Maslow on the central role that Taoism could/should play in the transformation of both Psychology and the scientific method – from a ‘controlling science’ to a ‘Taoistic science’. During this same period, Joseph Needham (1954-1994) had begun his encyclopedic ‘Science and Civilisation in China’ series, which consistently argued that Taoism had, historically, played a central role in Chinese scientific thought and innovation. Both Maslow and Needham had emphasised the Taoist concept of Wu Wei(non-interference) as being integral to the scientific method. I will also consider the extent to which Maslow’s vision has been realised in more recent approaches and debates concerning research methods and validity in Transpersonal Psychology.