It is Not ‘Indoctrination’ That Leads to the Lack of Debate, But the Lack of Debate that Leads to Indoctrination – A Comment on ‘Indoctrination in Introduction to Psychology’ by Jared Bartels

Abstract

Bartels gives some good examples of ‘liberal’ or ‘left-wing’ bias in introductory textbooks and suggests that one of the ways to ameliorate this is to adopt a more heterodox approach. This comment suggests that to achieve this very desirable end that psychologists need to look critically at the philosophical assumptions which influence their professional thinking. They must ask, ‘What is our concept of a human being?’ otherwise they will unthinkingly reflect the philosophical assumptions of victimhood culture that see human beings as diminished, vulnerable individuals.