Theory beyond theory

Drawing on Toulmin's (1990) portrayal of the 'dual trajectory of Modernity' , the predominant trajectory being tied to Cartesian rationalism and the ot her to Renaissance humanism, it is suggested that much of contemporary theo retical psychology appears to be congruent with widespread efforts to reapp ropriate the latter tradition and thereby to 'humanize' its inquiries. This apparent congruence notwithstanding, it is also suggested that much of the oretical psychology, in its very theoreticism, remains wedded to the Cartes ian project. By moving toward what is here termed a 'poetics of the Other', there emerges the opportunity for a portion of the field not only to furth er extricate itself from the gravitational pull of theory, as ordinarily co nceived, but also to explore modes of thinking and writing more closely tie d to the humanities. 'Theory' remains viable from this point of view, but i n a different way than that which is generally operative in current endeavo rs.