History and Systems of Psychology - Essay Example

HISTORY AND SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY Psychology is one of the ancient most disciplines of knowledge and learning which seeks its roots in ancient logic and philosophy. It is the in-depth and systematic study of soul and mind In other words, the subject discusses the nature and emotions of human mind. The subject has observed long historical development process and elaborated various aspects of human soul and mind as well. Throughout human history, man has been eager to explore the mysteries of soul as well as thoughts prevailing in mind concealed from the eyes and hidden under the pile of spirituality and mysticism. Though Nature has revealed its beauties in every of its objects and many subjects are determined to acquire one thing or the other for describing natural phenomena, and few disciplines including Psychology, Philosophy, Metaphysics, Astrology and Astronomy etc have made efforts to discover the secrets of human soul and mind to some extent, yet many aspects are still to get explored in order to accomplish the task of searching out vigilance and wisdom for the guidance and benefit of human beings at large. As the President of Psychological Society, it would be appropriate to find out the contributions of philosophers, theorists, researchers and psychologists with reference to the timeline and chronology of events in the development of the subject during the course of time. Looking into the timeline of the system of Psychology, it becomes evident that the theories used to be based on rational thoughtfulness, deep observation and continuous experimentation on which the foundations of psychology were laid down. Candice Lassiter has divided the history and systems of psychology in different eras i.e. ancient, medieval, modern and post modern ones. She finds its roots in about 1120 BC when the first book I-Ching was written by Wen Wang on Astronomy. The book describes the metaphysical elements in human soul and the relation of human soul with the objects of nature. It has also tried to present how human soul has an access to the supernatural powers existing in the universe. The book serves as the foundation stone of an outline of ancient psychology, which depicts the changes taking place and it paves the way towards exploring new dimensions of the subject in the future years to come. The renowned Chinese philosopher Confucius states it the greatest of the literature in this particular field. Most of the ancient theorists concentrated on astronomy while portraying human psychological characteristics. The same is the case with Thales of Miletos, who is considered among the seven sages of Athens. Unlike other philosophers of his times, Thales did not link all the maters with myth and metaphysics; rather, being mathematician, he always looked for naturalistic elucidation of society and the world. He preached moral values and stressed upon the utility of knowledge. All the philosophers and theorists of the ancient times maintained almost the same views and exercised same values. That is why most of these philosophers including Zarathustra, Anaximander, Lao-tze, Pythagoras, Gautama, Confucius and others had learnt mathematics and gymnastics on the one hand and advocated morality, charity, love, wisdom and goodness on the other. They viewed such characteristics highly important for man and very near to human nature; thus beneficial for the whole mankind. Their study of human nature revealed before them the behavioral approach of psychology where only goodness can make balance in the equation of peace and justice in the whole world. The future philosophers i.e. Heraclitus, Hippocrates, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and others also imitated their forerunners and gave special attention to the same values including goodness, morality and truthfulness on the one hand and taught mathematics, logic, gymnastics and philosophy on the other. Socrates is quoted to be stated that the theme of real knowledge is that one must say that he knows nothing. He maintains that as mathematics shapes intellect and gymnastic shapes body, it is wisdom that shapes the human soul. Pure soul is necessary to make up a pure mind and heart, which consequently forms a neat, clean, sober and pure social set up. Plato and Aristotle displayed almost the same feelings regarding human psychology and contributed to the knowledge of their predecessor philosopher. The Stoic period of Rome also contained depth and universality in its fold, where the spiritual leader Zeno established new tradition of leading a secluded life in order to gain spiritual and moral satisfaction by living far from the materialistic social set up. Zenos teachings got respectable place in ancient Roman cult, culture and civilization and people imitated his ways for many decades. The name of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the most prominent among the law-makers and psychologists of the coming generations. He is the noble personality who successfully turned the most savage and cruel Arab people into the most learnt and humble members of civil society by enduring all possible sufferings and tortures during twenty three long years. With the help of Divine revelation in the form of the Holy Quran and highest form of spirituality, he presented a complete code of life before the world. He had great command over the psychology of others and taught them divine messages of honesty, truthfulness, generosity, pardon, gratefulness and love. He skillfully launched his noble campaign keeping in view the psychology of the merciless-most individuals of the world. The people, who used to bury their daughters as soon as they were born, started respecting the women and concept of veil appeared. Thus, he introduced a comprehensive system of spiritual beliefs as well as of social life; consequently he successfully completed his mission leaving indelible marks of his noble teachings for ever and ever in the world. During the modern and post modern times, Sir Isaac Newton, John Milton, Karl Marx, Emanuel Kant, August Comte, Erasmus Darwin, J. S. Mills, Sigmund Freud, Charles Darwin, Sir George Bernard Shaw and Sir Bertrand Russell influenced and shaped human psychology by their theories and works. All of their works have wide opened newer dimensions of thoughtfulness and philosophy. Marx exercised his views by presenting the Conflict theory according to which it is the part of human psychology that there always remains a serious conflict between different social classes. Similarly, Freud articulated theory where dreams represented hidden wishes prevailing in the sub-conscious of mind. These suppressed and unfulfilled wishes quenched their thirst most in dreams and sometimes in imaginations too. In the same way, Maslow articulated motivational theory that expressed an imperative law of human psychology. Maslow opined that motivation accelerated human performance to a significant extent. Also, different individual sought motivation from different sources of inspiration. Erasmus Darwin and his famous grandson Charles Darwin adopted biology as their field of interests and left influence on human psychology by their knowledge based on experiments and deep observation of natural phenomenon. Louis Pasteur showed his abilities in the field of medicine and discovered such formulae that supported in the cure and protection of the masses from fatal diseases. On the contrary, Newton, Einstein and others worked on Physics and Chemistry, and the use of their intellect served the people a lot. Psychology is like a deep ocean containing millions of pearls of knowledge and wisdom in its sway. Newtons splitting of matter led to the metaphysical understanding of mechanical works. Though the theorists have worked on the different aspects of the discipline making its shape and discovering its fields, yet there are many things yet to explore and search out. One of the most important fields includes the wonderful world of perception. So much has been written and suggested in this field, but the subject is in utter need of elaboration. Theorists seldom determine its scope and strength. It is fact beyond doubt that the power of perception identifies both human soul and mind far better than observation and experimentation. Perception is a gifted ability that aims at estimating how human brain imagines and assesses future actions and consequent reactions of human behavior. In the same way, the suppressed feelings like masochism, exhibitionism and sadism are still in wait of further amplifications and specifications. Freud has worked on fear and anxiety, but only few thoughts reveal the sudden actions of human soul without any predetermined feelings. Works of many writers, poets and philosophers are still to be explored to bless the universe with more and more fruitfulness of wisdom. The poems of Emily Bronte including "No Coward Soul is Mine" portrays a message of unwavering hope on the death door on the one hand, and admits the mortality of humans and immortality of the Lord on the other. Read More