PHI 3231 - The Search for Self

Credits: 4
How do philosophical concepts of identity impact theories and research methods in psychology? How can mental illness be understood as a response to a complex situation? How are philosophical perspectives on human freedom relevant to psychotherapy? We will delve into these questions through a study of the Existentialist movement in 19th and 20th century European philosophy. Selected philosophers include Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Soren Kierkegaard, Martin Heidegger, etc. In the second half of the semester, we will examine how these philosophical theories shaped psychological schools and therapeutic practices. Special attention will be devoted to Existential Phenomenological Psychology, Existential Therapy, and Qualitative Research Methods.
McDaniel Plan: International; Textual Analysis