Grams, A. (1963). Basic considerations. In A. Grams, The Lutheran studies series. Children and their parents: The nature and development of personality in the light of the Christian message (pp. 19-31). Minneapolis, MN, US: T. S. Denison & Company, Inc..
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/14329-001
There is something very final about a phrase such as "the nature of personality." Most psychologists avoid such terms, preferring "description" and "theory" to words which imply greater certainty. The latter are more frequently used by philosophers and theologians. I think that at this point the philosopher is doing the appropriate thing and the psychologist is somewhat derelict. If a science of man's behavior is ever to grow to respectable proportions and make any sort of impact on mankind, it must not sidestep so fundamental an issue as the essence of human nature. The objection can, of course, be raised that this consideration is beyond the scientist's grasp. As a scientist he is limited by his method and can deal only with phenomena which can be measured with sufficient objectivity to permit replication and validation by others. When he speculates, as indeed he must, it is imperative for him to know that he is doing so. Suppositions about the nature of things which interest him is theory, and theories ought to generate hypotheses which can be checked out by experimentation. Experimental findings in turn support or negate the hypotheses and ultimately strengthen or cast doubt upon the theory. Such endeavors demand flexibility, a willingness to re-examine one's position in the light of new evidences, and it is precisely such an attitude which makes science fascinating, dynamic and appealing. There is no room here for narrow dogmatism. Claiming to know all the answers is quite incompatible with seeking after truth. But this objection does not preclude what we plan to do in this book. The phrase "nature of personality" is employed because it seems to me less technical and more direct than "theory of personality." Thus, the point of view which this writer holds is one which has gradually emerged as he projected contemporary psychologic thought about personality against the background of his Christian faith. What follows is not intended as a final formulation or statement. It is instead, an attempt to make the teachings of Scripture about man's nature, purpose and destiny basic to our understanding of human thought and action. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)