Understand the Link Between Philosophy and Psychology
Philosophy and psychology are two disciplines that have a common place in history. The relationship between these two sciences is a much talked about subject. But what is the truth of the matter?
Philosophy Studies Reason While Psychology Studies Emotions
When it comes to studying the inner workings of the human mind, psychology and philosophy are usually confused with each other. However, each of them pursues its own objective. Psychology is concerned with emotional reactions and experiences. It analyzes the way in which these shape the identity of the human being and his interactions with his fellow human beings.
Philosophy, on the other hand, focuses on the ability to make logical decisions and to reason well. It is thus a question of rationality and reason. Philosophy questions the fundamental principles that govern human actions and belief systems.
It is then necessary to keep in mind that even if they seem identical at first sight, philosophy and psychology have different centers of interest. For one, it is the brain while for the other it is the human heart.
Philosophers Deal With Existential Questions While Psychologists Try to Explain Actions
Philosophers and psychologists use different approaches to try to better understand the complexity of the human mind. Philosophers are traditionally recognized as thinkers. They address fundamental questions about reality and existence, while psychologists try to explain why people do things the way they do.
These explanations can sometimes sound like justifications and excuses. In any case, it is important to keep in mind that every human being is responsible for his or her choices, even if we often tend to blame the environment or biology
Philosophers and psychologists agree that the ideal is to seek to understand and improve oneself. This is far better than sticking to a position and remaining with the “this is how I am” mentality. Philosophy and psychology in art therapy then appear as tools for improvement and growth.
Philosophy is Immersed in the Abstract, While Psychology is More Concrete
We often tend to say that philosophy is all about what is in the mind. It deals with abstract ideas and concepts. Knowledge, existence and values are, for example, concepts that can frequently be discussed. At the same time, psychology focuses more on observable, concrete phenomena and human behavior.
Some say that philosophy is purely theoretical while psychology is more concerned with practical application. However, it should be noted that both disciplines require an analytical and critical mind. They have concrete applications and implications in daily life. It is not uncommon to observe a certain complementarity between them on several levels
Philosophy is Interested in Concepts, While Psychology is Concerned With Facts
While philosophy strives to find answers to the deep questions of existence, psychology focuses on concrete facts. One can present philosophy as a discipline that deals with the “what” and psychology as a discipline that deals with the “how”. In other words, it can be said that philosophy provides the theory while psychology provides the evidence.
Although they have very distinct goals, the two sciences sometimes overlap in many ways. In practice, philosophy uses debate and logical reasoning to examine ideas such as justice, truth and beauty. Psychology, on the other hand, uses empirical research to understand human actions and thought. For example, it uses it to better understand questions such as “How do people acquire and retain information?
Philosophy is an Older Discipline Than Psychology
Philosophy has a head start on psychology when it comes to age. However, thanks to brain scans and experiments, psychologists have rapidly improved their deep thinking skills. Some even claim that psychology has caught up to, or even surpassed, its elder. For them, this is mainly due to the many revolutionary discoveries related to the internal functioning of the brain
Nevertheless, philosophy still holds a place of choice in the exploration of all that concerns deep reflection and ethics. She has enough distance to analyze philosophical, existential and ethical questions. This great experience leads others to say that psychology still needs a few decades to catch up.
Many modern psychologists use philosophical theories in the course of their work. This reveals a willingness to collaborate and especially the existence of commonalities between these two disciplines
Why not focus on these?
Despite Their Differences, There Are Several Commonalities Between These Two Disciplines
Although they are divergent on many levels, philosophy and psychology have much in common. First of all, they are both disciplines that involve attention to the human being, physical movement and the mind-body connection. Both have their foundations in ancient cultures and can be likened to spiritual practices
Both philosophy and psychology require analytical and problem-solving skills. They both contribute to the well-being of the human being
Philosophy is a discipline that studies reason, while psychology studies the emotions. While philosophy is more interested in the abstract, psychology deals with concrete facts. Philosophers are recognized as being in search of answers to the fundamental questions of existence, while psychologists are interested in behavior. Despite their differences, these two disciplines have many points in common and can sometimes be complementary.
Summary
- Philosophy and psychology are two disciplines that may seem very different, but in fact share many commonalities
- Philosophy studies reason and existential questions, while psychology studies emotions and human behavior
- Although these two disciplines focus on different topics, they can be used together to understand complex aspects of the human psyche
- Philosophy can help illuminate the theoretical concepts of psychology, while psychology can provide concrete data to support philosophical ideas
- Ultimately, the differences between philosophy and psychology are not as important as the commonalities they share, and by working together, these two disciplines can provide a more complete perspective on the human being.
Exercise: Identifying Philosophy and Psychology
Philosophy and psychology are two disciplines that may seem very different, but in fact share many commonalities. Although these two disciplines focus on different topics, they can be used together to understand the complex aspects of the human psyche.
As future art therapy practitioners, it is important to ask questions about how philosophy and psychology can help us in our practice. For example, how can philosophy inform the theoretical concepts of psychology, and how can psychology provide concrete data to support philosophical ideas? How can we use these two disciplines together to gain a more complete picture of our patients and better help them through their suffering?
Ultimately, the differences between philosophy and psychology are not as important as the commonalities they share. Working together, these two disciplines can enrich our art therapy practice and help us better understand and help our patients. So ask yourself these questions and think about how philosophy and psychology can help you in your art therapy practice.