“When possible, make a U-turn”
Reflecting on ‘the narrative turn’, meaning, morality and identity
This paper discusses the problematic consequences of labeling Bruner and MacIntyre’s work under the heading ‘narrative turn’. I argue that their focus on narrative was secondary to larger projects with more important implications for psychology which have unfortunately garnered less attention and have yet to be realized. Bruner’s intent was to establish meaning-making as the central concept of psychology. MacIntyre’s concern was with establishing grounds for moral living. Identity was conceived of as a crucial explanatory concept in the psychosocial construction of meaning and\or the good life. Understanding narrative however, although considered important, was not the primary goal of their efforts. I propose refocusing on these original goals and on identity processes, be they narrative or paradigmatic, as they are involved in the ongoing organization of interpretive and evaluative meaning systems that are the grounds for intentionality and agency.
Cited by (1)
Cited by one other publication
Schachter, Elli & Avital Ben Hur
2019.
The Varieties of Religious Significance: An Idiographic Approach to Study Religion's Role in Adolescent Development.
Journal of Research on Adolescence 29:2
► pp. 291 ff.
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