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Toward a Reflexive Positive Psychology

Insights from the Chinese Buddhist Notion of Emptiness

Rochester, NY, louiselu{at}frontiernet.net

This paper claims that the missing value dimension in positive psychology's model of the good life is attributable to its focus on the unreflective first-order desires, as exemplified by hope theory, and its misguided claim of scientific neutrality that renders invisible the moral maps of human experiences. It is argued that the solution of the problem lies in self-reflexivity, which is an extra mental space needed for the drawing and redrawing of moral maps. Exposition of self-reflexivity shows how a self-to-self transaction adds a so far neglected intrapersonal dimension to cross-cultural analysis, and how moral maps are rendered visible and transformative in second-order desires, as exemplified by the Chinese Buddhist notions of savoring and `emptiness.'

Key Words: emptiness • first-order and second-order concerns/commentaries • first-order and second-order desires • first-order experience • hope theory • moral map • Novelty-focus and Authenticity-focus cultures • second-order awareness • savoring • self-reflexivity

Theory & Psychology, Vol. 18, No. 5, 655-674 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0959354308093400


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