In 1999, a most interesting and provocative exchange occurred on the listserve supported by the Society for a Scientific Clinical Psychology (SSCP). The SSCP is a section of the Society of Clinical Psychology (Division 12) of the American Psychological Association. The exchange drew the attention of many observers not just because it addressed an important topic-the nature of the paradigm that can best guide the science and practice of clinical psychology-but because both principals in this exchange were so remarkably informed, logical, and respectful of each other. The exchange demonstrated, as well as I personally have ever witnessed, the way that disagreements in science should be discussed. Stephen S. Ilardi and Joseph J. Plaud have very different ideas of what constitutes the subject matter of psychology and about the paradigm that should guide research in this field. They are bright and articulate spokespersons for their points of view, and yet, they listened to one another, responded without rancor and with persuasive substance, and never lost sight of the substance of their arguments.
I was struck at the time of this exchange with the power of each point of view. I found myself drawn back and forth between the two perspectives as each protagonist would make a point and the other would counter. The nature of this topic and the power of the exchange were so great that I invited Professors Ilardi and Plaud to recreate their exchange in a publishable form. They agreed to serve as the guest editors for this very special series. Perhaps it is because the United States has just completed a very bitter and intensive presidential election that I find myself once again impressed, even after these many months, with how effectively Drs. Ilardi (now with Feldman) and Plaud have argued their points without rancor and without personalization. The significance of the topic has been expanded in this issue by drawing on the expertise of a series of commentators (Strauman, Forsyth, and Kelly). The Journal of Clinical Psychology is very pleased to publish these articles under the guest editorship of Stephen S. Ilardi and Joseph J. Plaud.