Psychology as myth

Abstract

The existential disposition of self, the duality of being part symbolic (out-of-nature) and part animal (in-nature) creates a fundamental anxious state, the escape from which becomes a pursuit for meaning, a pursuit for Truth. This pursuit manifests itself metaphorically in mythological themes incorporating our existential duality and have varied over time becoming increasingly more symbolic. This thesis examines the dualistic existential state, the rise and fall of dominant mythologies in Western society and the history of psychology as a mythological manifestation of our dualistic state as it moves through these dominant myths. In particular, it describes psychology in our current scientific myth and explores the ramifications to psychology that the ongoing decay in the dominant scientific myth may have on it. Finally this thesis highlights the in-nature side of the discipline of psychology and discusses some future options for psychology as the dominant myth changes.