If in a previous article we reviewed some differences between psychology and philosophy, in this one 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 are more.
Let’s start then: in what ways are both disciplines similar?
1. They share their roots
Psychology has its origins in an ancient tradition of philosophers and thinkers. In fact, the word “psychology” means soul study , something that ancient Greek philosophers were responsible for at the time. Aristotle, for example, dedicates an entire treatise to his concept of what psychology is, 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 nature
Philosophy could not be understood without speculation , that is, the creation of theoretical constructs not empirically contrasted through science that allow contradictions to be resolved. For example, Descartes proposed a theory according to which the body and soul are part of two different planes of existence to explain why sensations can mislead 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, have either been discarded or serve to formulate hypotheses and seek empirical support through them.
3. They share study topics
Both disciplines They address topics such as perceptions and sensations memory and intelligence, the nature of the conscious mind, will and relationships with others, although they use different languages and methodologies in their research.
4. They share the problem of the body-mind relationship
Historically, philosophers have been in charge of proposing synthetic theories and 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 Avicenna or Descartes. Psychology has inherited this debate and has entered into it using new methodologies.
5. Philosophy lends psychology categories to work with
Traditionally, psychology has worked from notions and concepts inherited from philosophy. For example, the philosophical tradition of Illustration made psychologists initially think of the human being (or, rather, 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, later, neuroscientists, have faced.
In the same way, the category of what “will” is has been clouded with a certain mysticism, as if the human brain received orders from a control center that we do not really know where it is. This is the result of a dualist philosophical tradition.
Since some of the objects of study of psychology and philosophy are so similar, philosophy is also capable of “translating” psychological discoveries and transfer them to their field of study. A relationship of interdependence is thus established between philosophy and psychology. The philosophical side of embodied cognition, for example, always has one foot planted in the latest research about the feedback process between the brain and the rest of the body. Likewise, the philosophy of 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 human beings , whether by bringing you closer to the truth and enabling intellectual emancipation or helping you achieve the thoughts and states of mind 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 that the sole purpose of psychologists is to offer therapy. Although this may not be the case, it is evident that knowing the logic that governs the appearance of thoughts and emotional states is a great advantage when it is necessary to tackle certain mental and emotional problems.
