We enjoyed reading Matthew Rispoli's review of Rethinking
innateness
(henceforth RI-Elman et al. 1996). First, we respond to what we
see as the
major issues that he raises. Finally, we respond to the commentaries
contributed by other authors in this issue.
Rispoli has two major concerns. First, he fears that RI will do the
field a
great disservice, increasing polarization and sowing discontent. To some
extent this is an ‘eye of the beholder’ criticism that is difficult
to counter: if
Rispoli feels more polarized upon reading this book, who are we to argue?