Categorial analysis and actual empiricism. A critical remark on Klaus Holzkamp’s “Grundlegung der Psychologie”

Abstract

The article is concerned with the concept of categorial analysis as an empirical method for the conceptualization of the fundamental terms of psychology. It is shown that Holzkamp`s notion, that categories can exclusively be founded by means of historic empiricism, is indefensible; in fact it is possible that actual empiricism becomes part of the categorical analysis. Finally, the article will raise the question about the consequences of this theoretical shift for the Critical Psychology itself.

Keywords

• psychological categories
• single theories
• historic and actual empiricism
• pre-terms