Abstract

This paper examines the scientific foundation of indigenous and cultural psychology. First, the author outlines the positivistic model adopted by general and cross-cultural psychology and their inherent limitations in explaining psychological phenomena. Second, the author outlines the transactional model of science that aliows us to examine the intentional, meaningful, and generative aspects of human functioning. Third, the author provides an analysis of culture and the need to examine three aspects of culture: ecology, epistemology, and phenomenology. The author traces human adaptation to our ecological condition and social changes during the past centuries that provide a greater understanding and control over our ecological context. In addition, the author briefly traces the development of Western civilization, focusing specifically on Judeo-Christian ideology and liberal philosophy. Confucian philosophy is outlined as a descriptive model to understand East Asian self and human relationship. Also, social changes that occurred in East Asia and the limitations of using Confucian philosophy in explaining human behavior is outlined. Finally, the importance of phenomenology in describing and understanding culture is articulated.