How are Psychology and Philosophy alike?
If in a previous article we review some differences between psychology and philosophy, in this we will see the points in which both disciplines are deeply related.
I propose seven things in common between both , although it is very possible that there is more.
Similarities between psychology and philosophy
Let's start then: in what things are both disciplines?
1. They share their roots
Psychology has its origin in a millenarian tradition of philosophers and thinkers. In fact, the word "psychology" means study of the soul , something that the philosophers of ancient Greece were in charge of at the time. Aristotle, for example, dedicates to his concept of what psychology is a whole treatise, the Peri Psyche.
So that, psychology was a branch of philosophy for centuries , until the concept of "soul" was redefined, which was an idea linked to mysticism, to transform it into theoretical constructs accessible from scientific methodology.
2. They share a certain speculative character
Philosophy could not be understood without speculation , that is, the creation of theoretical constructs not empirically contrasted through science to solve contradictions. For example, Descartes proposed a theory according to which the body and the soul are part of two different planes of existence to explain why sensations can deceive us.
Similarly, much of the history of recent psychology includes the creation of new theories about our way of thinking and feeling that, in the absence of much evidence in their favor, either have been discarded or used to formulate hypotheses and seek empirical support through them.
3. They share study themes
Both disciplines address topics such as perceptions and sensations , memory and intelligence, the nature of the conscious mind, the will and relationships with others, although they use different languages and methodologies in their investigations.
4. They share the problem of the relationship body - mind
Historically, philosophers have been in charge of proposing theories and synthetic explanations about the distinction between body and soul and, in fact, that is where the conflict between the monism and the dualism that characterized thinkers like Avicena or Descartes. Psychology has inherited this debate and has entered it using new methodologies.
5. Philosophy gives psychology categories to work with
Traditionally, psychology has worked from notions and concepts inherited from philosophy. For example, the philosophical tradition of Illustration In the beginning, psychologists thought of the human being (or, rather, the man) as a rational animal with great voluntary control over the appearance of feelings and moods, although this is a way of conceiving our species that psychoanalysts and, subsequently, neuroscientists, have faced.
In the same way, the category of what "will" has been tarnished with a certain mysticism, as if the human brain received orders from a control center that does not know very well where it is. This is the fruit of a dualistic philosophical tradition.
6. Philosophy is also nourished by psychology
As some of the objects of study in psychology and philosophy are so similar, philosophy is also capable of "translating" psychological discoveries and pass them to their field of study. This establishes a relationship of interdependence between philosophy and psychology. The philosophical side of embodied cognition, for example, always has one foot in the latest research about the feedback process between the brain and the rest of the body. In the same way, the philosophy of the mind is constantly updated with the discoveries of psychologists and neuroscientists.
7. Both can have therapeutic purposes
Many great philosophers believed that the ultimate goal of philosophy is do good to the human being , either approaching the truth and enabling an intellectual emancipation or helping you to achieve the thoughts and moods necessary to face life in the best possible way. The Stoics and the thinkers of the Epicurean school are classic examples of this type of philosophers.
As far as psychology is concerned, its therapeutic application It is well known. In fact, there is a stereotype according to which the only purpose of psychologists is to offer therapy.Although this is not the case, it is evident that knowing the logic by which the appearance of affective thoughts and states is governed is a great advantage when it is convenient to tackle certain mental and emotional problems.
