This paper attempts to reexamine the relationship between metaphysics and psychology. It proposes that the rejection of metaphysics in psychology is due to a conception of metaphysics in more traditional terms, despite the fact that much of psychology is influenced by this traditional metaphysics. Our proposal is to look at metaphysics in a way that emphasizes the personal. By accomplishing this paradigm shift, psychology can be seen as intrinsically harmonious with an underlying metaphysical position accurately reflecting lived human existence. 2012 (...) APA, all rights reserved). (shrink)

Discusses the significance of the concept of dignity for psychology. The article is grounded in the writings of E. Husserl and the humanism of Sartre and examines the humanistic position underlying psychology with that of positivism and determinism. Through an examination of Sartre's formulation of the cogito and intersubjectivity, the authors argue that humanism more than any other orientation current in psychology is concerned with the human status of the individual and the recognition of dignity as central to that status. (...) The authors further argue that dignity is fundamental to the structure of human existence and is achieved only by holding the other as human in status rather than reducing the other to the status of an object. 2012 APA, all rights reserved). (shrink)

This paper attempts to introduce the significance of Metaphysics in Psychology and the therapeutic process. It relies on the radical attempt of Jose Ortega y Gasset and to some extent Gabriel Marcel to redefine metaphysics as an attempt to define the "singular" or "positional" existence of the individual as represented by Ortega y Gasset's concept "My life." The paper further attempts to show that "perspective" is the ultimate goal of one's attempt to penetrate the veil of mystery that surrounds the (...) life of the individual as it is rooted in Being. The paper holds that personal insight is the tool that assists the individual in "coming to terms" with that life, another major goal of therapy. 2012 APA, all rights reserved). (shrink)