Psychology and Religion. Anthony P. Winning Dr Simon Boag (Supervisor)

Transcription

1 Psychology and Religion Anthony P. Winning Dr Simon Boag (Supervisor)

2 Religion Definition that which ties believers to God Source: Oxford English Dictionary, religion(n) 2

3 Psychology Definition the study of the nature, functioning and development of the human mind Source: Oxford English Dictionary, psychology(n) psychotherapy is the systematic application of psychological principles to the treatment of psychogenic ill-health and maladjustment Source: Sunday Times (1958) in Oxford English Dictionary, psychotherapy(n) 3

4 Psychology Rationale What do they [human beings] demand of life and wish to achieve in it? The answer to this can hardly be in doubt. They strive for happiness; they want to become happy and to remain so. Source: Sigmund Freud, Civilisation and Its Discontents (1930), p. 76 [human beings] deepest tendencies make for his [or her] own enhancement and that of other members of his [or her] species. Source: A Note on The Nature of Man, by Carl Rogers (1957) in Journal of Counselling Psychology 4

5 Dualism Rene Descartes ( ) [T]here is a great difference between the mind and the body, inasmuch as the body is by its very nature always divisible, while the mind is utterly indivisible. This one argument would be enough to show me that the mind is completely different from the body. Source: Descartes, Meditationes de Prima Philosophia (1641), p. 59 5

6 Dualism Rene Descartes ( ) One can never definitely know the reality of another person. This means it is impossible for one to conclusively prove that one person experiences love for another, because love is an internal state. However, we are too insecure as human beings to accept this. We look to external indicators, such as behaviours and actions, and take them almost always as proof of internal states. 6

7 Mysticism Undertaking an action as reflection of one s internal state is an expression of one s inner reality; undertaking an action to alter one s internal state can be seen as psychology. If we strip religion of its behaviour aspects, and focus on internal states, we head towards the mystic tradition found in all the modern world s major religions. 7

8 Mysticism Mystical theology; belief in the possibility of union with or absorption into God by means of contemplation and selfsurrender; belief in or devotion to the spiritual apprehension of truths inaccessible to the intellect. Source: Oxford English Dictionary, mysticism(n) 8

9 Mysticism The mystical experience of God has certain characteristics that are common to all faiths. It is a subjective experience that involves an interior journey, not a perception of an objective fact outside the self... All three of the monotheistic religions developed a mystical tradition, which made their God transcend the personal category and become more similar to the impersonal realities of nirvana and Brahman- Atman these spiritual exercises did help people to abandon simplistic and anthropomorphic notions of God and to experience him as a presence within the self. Source: Karen Armstrong, A History of God (1993), pp. 210, 219, 240 9

10 Mysticism God is not the answer, God is the question. Source: Saint Thomas Aquinas Mysticism can be seen as a connection to the underlying nature of reality. One does not follow mysticism because it is good or bad, but because it reflects the essence of existence. This goes beyond the idea of good or bad, to the nature of the fabric of the universe. 10

11 Summary the study or consideration of the soul or spirit Source: Oxford English Dictionary, psychology(n) Psychology can be viewed as a manipulation of the mind, with the intention of remediating states deemed bad, and fostering states viewed as being good. If we strip religion of its behaviour aspects, and focus on internal states, we head towards the mystic tradition found in all the modern world s major religions. One does not follow mysticism because it is good or bad, but because it reflects the nature of existence. This goes beyond the idea of good or bad, to the nature of the fabric of the universe. 11

12 Questions? Thank You 12