Beyers, Eefke2019-08-052019-08-051999Beyers, E. (1999). Psychology and culture: the politics of recognition. Act Academica, 31(2), 75-101.2415-0479 (online)0587-2405 (print)http://hdl.handle.net/11660/10254English: In this article it is suggested that the two main ontological assumptions prevalent in mainstream Western psychology (atomism and holism) are accompanied by implicit moral ideals as well as concomitant constructions of selves, notions of good and political directives. A case is made for viewing present trends in psychology towards the accommodation of culture as representative of a holistic ideal and of a concomitant politics of recognition of difference. This ontological and political perspective may be seen as a corrective of atomistic liberalism in the direction communitarian liberalism. The latter position is neither collectivise nor ethnocentric in orientation but liberal in the original sense of the word.Afrikaans: In hierdie artikel word gesuggereer dat die twee hoofontologiese vertrekpunte in die hoofstroom van Westerse sielkunde (atomisme en holisme) vergesel word van implisiete morele ideale en gepaardgaande selfkonstruksies, idees oor die goeie en politieke direktiewe. Die saak word gestel dat huidige tendense in die sielkunde om kultuur te akkommodeer, verteenwoordigend is van 'n holistiese ideaal en van 'n politiek van erkenning van verskille. Die ontologiese en politieke perspektief kan beskou word as 'n korreksie op atomistiese liberalisme ten gunste van gemeenskaps-filosofiese (communitarian) liberalisme. Laasgenoemde is nog kollektivisties, nog etnosentries in orientasie maar liberaal in die oorspronklike sin van die woord.enWestern psychologyAtomismHolismCulturePolitics of recognitionArticleUniversity of the Free State