A Clarifying Note on Differences Between the W. F. Cascio,J. Outtz,S. Zedeck,and I. L. Goldstein (1991) and H. Aguinis,J. M. Cortina,and E. Goldberg (1998) Banding Procedures

Hanges, Grojean, and Smith (this issue) reaffirmed the Cascio, Outtz, Zedeck, and Goldstein (1991) "traditional" test score banding procedure and argued that the "alternative" method proposed by Aguinis, Cortina, and Goldberg (1998) is problematic. We clarify 4 differences between the traditional and alternative procedures. We suggest once again that the traditional approach be used when evidence regarding criterion-related validity is not available and that the alternative approach be used when this information is available.     

The Legacy of Neoplatonism in F. W. J. Schelling's Thought

F.W.J. Schelling, one of the essential thinkers in the development of German Idealism, formed his own thought not only in a critical dialogue with Kant's and Fichte's transcendentalism and Hegel's earlier conception of thinking, but also in an intensive discussion with Plato and Aristotle. Over and above that, Neoplatonism – especially Plotinus, Proclus and the Christian Dionysius the Areopagite – played a decisive role in Schelling's reception and transformation of ancient philosophy. Selecting the manifold aspects which could be reflected on in this field, I want to make plausible as a transcendental analogy to Plotinus' concept of self-knowledge Schelling's requirement for a raising-up and transformation of the finite 'I' into the form of the Absolute, whose central features converge with the goal of the Plotinian self – transformation of thought into a timeless self-thinking and its ground. A main part of this paper discusses Schelling's and Plotinus' concept of nature as a dynamic process constituted by an immanent 'creating theoria'. Furthermore we find in Schelling's theory of the Absolute as the 'utterly One' a union of Plotinus' notion of a pure One beyond Being with that of the reflexive self-presence of nous, so that this Absolute can be understood as an All-Unity which grounds and embraces all actuality – because it is in itself the most unifying self-affirmation or self-mediation. What follows is a reflection on the anagogical function of art, especially from the viewpoint of Plotinus' non-Platonic rehabilitation of art as an imitation of nature. The last perspectives focus on Schelling's concept of matter and emanation – as different from and at the same time coherent with that of Plotinus – and on Schelling's theory of an absolute self – willing will in connection with Plotinus' Enneads VI.8, 'On free will and the will of the One' as a causa sui.     

REFLECTIONS ON BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY: A SELECTIVE REVIEW OF EVOLUTION SINCE DARWIN—THE FIRST 150 YEARS. EDITED BY M. A. BELL,D. J. FUTUYAMA,W. F. EANES, & J. S. LEVINTON

This review focuses on parallels between the selectionist sciences of evolutionary biology and behavior analysis. In selectionism, complex phenomena are interpreted as the cumulative products of relatively simple processes acting over time—natural selection in evolutionary biology and reinforcement in behavior analysis. Because evolutionary biology is the more mature science, an examination of the factors that led to the triumph of natural selection provides clues whereby reinforcement may achieve a similar fate in the science of behavior.