Existential Movement in Psychology - Essay Example

Rollo May uses the approach of analysis of what this is which characterizes the perception of certain objects by those who see them and interpret them in their own way; for example, there is concern about whether the psychologist accepts his or her patient the way he exists or the way the patient sees him or her himself and positions him or herself in his or her mind. (May 1958, 3). This means that, whatever way of interpretation is chosen, the fact is that the mentioned patient exists independently from his or her perception.

          Secondly, talking about what existentialism is not, I think it is necessary to consider May’s suggestion that the Western scientific tradition has chosen the wrong way of development by means of promoting a pragmatic approach which in practice has turned out to be inseparable, moreover, impossible without existentialism. (May 1958, 13). This means that existentialism is not part of practical science or application, but a fact that cannot be denied or omitted.

          The reference May has made to Laotzu’s views on the topic mentioned, the way I see it is a logical conclusion of the author and his pointing out that existentialism has already been known for a very long time and that there are obvious clarifications such as for example, an explanation that doing equals being, that is, human actions mean human existence. (May 1958, 19).