Philosophy of Romanticism and how it has influenced modern psychology

Philosophy of Romanticism and how it has influenced modern psychology

Introduction

Knowledge and mind have very close relationship. Philosophy deals with knowledge, while psychology is related to mind. According to American Psychological Association (APA), psychology is defined as the study of mind and behavior, which is evolved from the fields of science and philosophy (O'Boyle, 2006). Psychology cannot be understood without philosophy, it is associated with the branch of mental philosophy. Because of this close relation with philosophy, whenever there is change in the field of philosophy, it has influence on psychology. Early psychology was only considered as a branch of mental philosophy. With the advancement and expansion in the field of philosophy, there was also improvement in the field of psychology (O'Boyle, 2006).

Major contribution in the field of psychology was made by G. Stanley Hall and Wilhelm Wundt who founded American Psychological Association and experimental approach in psychology. Later advancements in the field of psychology also involve therapeutic implications (Pickren & Rutherford, 2010). All these advancements lead towards modern psychology, which is influenced by different changes in the field of philosophy. After the Dark Age and middle age, renaissance was the reawaking, that influenced every field of study including philosophy. Later, most prominent influence was during the age of enlightenment. It was the time, when logical reasoning nourished philosophical thinking. During the age of enlightenment another movement influenced the logical and philosophical thinking which is known as Romanticism.

Thesis Statement

Theory of philosophical romanticism has various influences on modern psychology and counseling.

Discussion

Theory of Philosophical Romanticism

During the age of Enlightenment, when every aspect of life was associated with the logical and scientific reason, it was not possible to understand human feelings and behaviors with the scientific or logical approach. This was the reason that against scientific and logical reasoning a new thought appear, which was based on the emotions and human feelings (Kyle, 2012). This led to the new understanding in the field of philosophy which deals with human conditions.

According to the theory of philosophical romanticism the concept of values and emotions in the life cannot be judged on the scientific and objective manners. This theory is based on the concept of unified and interconnected universe (Kyle, 2012). This provides that, theory of philosophical romanticism is based on the feelings and emotions of an individual, which is closer to the concept of psychological basis of understanding individuals. This theory is based on the subjective approach rather than scientific reasoning and objectivity of age of enlightenment.

This theory also highlights the factors of human conditions and matters associated with life and nature. Another important aspect of this approach is that, it emphasizes the concept of studying nature with the feelings and mind and studied the way in which nature affects human mind and thinking (O'Boyle, 2006). This is not possible with the logic and science. It is based on experiences and not experiments.

History of Philosophical Romanticism

Romanticism is the reactions towards ...