Customer Reviews

The Necessity of Experience

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Ed Reed was an Ecological Psychologist who sought to outline a scientific psychology of natural human action and interaction. In The Necessity of Experience he argues that direct contact with the world influences how we develop by helping us refine our interpersonal skill, our individuality, and our skill with physical events. In forwarding this proposal he touches on a range of issues relevant to the way we live (education, work, leisure, and community) to show how a coherent psychology can be used to reflect on a wide range of social issues. He argues that Cartesian rationalism has captured us scientifically and socially. He uses the theory of Ecological Psychology to develop the view that experience of the world as conceived by James Gibson can form the basis of a scientific account that is independent of this pervasive rationalist thrust.

This is a thoughtful and well argued treatment of difficult issues. ....

I am so glad I found this book while browsing my university's library. It really makes it clear how myopic some ideas of "progress" can be. Technology is a great tool, but too much investment in an abstract system can cast aside the real people who the system is supposed to serve anyway. For example, he uses an example of the computerization of social work to show how the REAL purpose is lost in the system. People can more accurately accustom themselves with the real, tangible world by interacting with it than if they interacted with a simulation. It's an excellent read with great examples and case studies while still explaining theory and philosophy in an honest, no-gimmick way.