An Iconoclast's Triptych

Abstract

Edward Reed (1954-1997) is best known for his work commenting upon and developing James Gibson's ecological approach to psychology. The three books reviewed in this article set out what Reed termed his ecological philosophy. Encountering the World has the appearance of an introduction to ecological psychology, but makes little reference to the work of other researchers in this field. Rather, it is a statement of Reed's own perspective, and a critique of the artificiality of modern psychology. However, as The Necessity of Experience goes on to point out, everyday life has itself become profoundly artificial. Finally, From Soul to Mind provides an impressive historical account of how modern psychology, conceived as a science of mind rather than soul, became such a narrow and complacent project. Yet these three titles, envisaged by Reed as a triptych, do not quite connect, and fail to convey the unity as well as scope of his important vision.