The possibility of psychology as a science

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

6 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

11/21/2008

Category :

Social studies

Sub category :

Psychology

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Summary :

Introduction.
Part 1.
1. The Principles of Psychology by William James.
2. Psychologists's error of talking as if they are being objective.
3. The physical doctor.
4. Conclusion to part 1.
Part 2.
1. General theory of complex psychology.
2. Jung's early work.
3. Neurosis.
4. The more powerful the complex is the more physical symptoms.
5. Fear of the complex.
Conclusion.

Abstract

In this essay we will continue to discuss the possibility of a science of psychology. In part 1 we will discuss William James (1842-1910) ideas on this subject. A key theme in part 1 will be the subjective factor in psychology and will ask the question of how can psychology be a science if the subjective factor is always present? Part 2 will be an ambitious attempt to answer that. It will be argued that when the physical body is healthy it is only 'relatively so' hence there is still something wrong with it. Yet we label it 'healthy'. The point is that for objective clarity we need to distinguish between health and real suffering. psychology can obtain objective scientific status and part 2 will explain how. Sonu Shamdasani's Jung and the making of Modern psychology: The Dream of a science will be the main source used in part 1 of this work. In part 2 we will use Jung's own work (CW Vol 3: The psychogenesis of Mental Disease) as the key source of that part of the essay, as our focus will be on mental disease (e.g. complexes, schizophrenia) - as we try and establish an objective scientific basis for psychology.