Abstract

The basic premise of this thesis is that psychosomatic unity rather than Platonic or Cartesian dualism best describes the nature and function of the human experience. The work addresses the following questions: What are the essential philosophic tenets of body mind dualism ? What is the effect of dualism on modern man? How does fear of death relate to the unity or disunity of the body and mind? What are the essential philosophic tenets of body-mind unity ? How do the embodied and disembodied differ in their approach to life? What are some of the psychological theories that support psychosomatic unity? What are some of the clinical methods that are derived from these theories and how are they used in psychotherapy? ;The thesis is offered to the reader as a guide to the various philosophies and psychologies of the body. It is my hope that it will stimulate you to appreciate the body as a ground of experience