Philosophy of Humanity

Philosophy of Psychology (Psychological Theory)

Definition

The history of anthropology is deeply intertwined with psychology. In the philosophical concepts of Antiquity and the Middle Ages, anthropology and psychology existed as a unified field of knowledge. Therefore, all that pertains to anthropology from that era also applies to psychology. In 1875, German philosopher Wilhelm Wundt established the world’s first laboratory of experimental psychology at the University of Leipzig. From that moment, psychology began its own scientific path, separate from anthropology, though they continue to intersect, as both investigate the same subject—human beings. By focusing on the human psyche, scholars in this field have made significant contributions to our understanding of humanity. Hence, a philosophical analysis of humans is incomplete without considering the advances made by psychologists.

The term "psychology" derives from the Greek "ψυχή" (soul). Thus, in its original sense, psychology was the science of the soul. Each religion has its own doctrines about the soul, making it relevant to discuss psychological teachings within the context of each religion. Ancient and medieval philosophers pondered the essence of the human soul. Since psychology's separation as a distinct discipline, its theorists have seen the need to clearly define its subject of study to distinguish it from what was known as psychology before Wundt. Today, psychology is not just the science of the soul, as its name suggests, but the science of mental phenomena and human behavior, focusing on what occurs in the human soul and how it influences human actions.

Psychology must be divided into its philosophical-theoretical and practical components. The philosophical-theoretical aspect of psychology involves attempts to understand the subject and methods of psychology, aiming to answer questions about what psychology should investigate and what methods it should employ. This segment of psychological science is known as the philosophy of psychology or psychological theory. The second aspect of psychology is its practical side.

The task of psychology is not only to explain what happens within the inner world of a person but also to correct and modify these processes, adjust human behavior and worldview, and shape a person's reactions and attitudes toward external stimuli. This is addressed by practical philosophy and psychotherapy. The philosophical-theoretical and practical aspects of psychology are closely linked, as the philosophical-theoretical psychology defines the subject and methods of practical psychology, forms its theoretical foundations, and establishes its objectives. Without the theoretical component, a practitioner of psychology would lack a foundation upon which to base their work. Conversely, theoretical psychology cannot function without practical psychology, as it needs practical testing of its theoretical propositions and falsification of erroneous theories.