Rollo May: The Human Dilemma (Part One Complete): Thinking Allowed with Jeffrey Mishlove

Summary

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Rollo May, a pioneer in existential psychology, discusses the discipline's unique approach to understanding human anxiety and creativity. He emphasizes the importance of embracing anxiety as a gateway to exploring life's meaning and fostering creativity, rather than as a symptom to be eliminated. Dr. May critiques modern society's tendency to avoid deep existential issues and advocates for a new age focused on truth, joy, and beauty, which he believes will lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.

Takeaways

• 📚 Dr. Rollo May is a pioneer in existential psychology and a founding sponsor of the Association for Humanistic Psychology, known for his work on existential and clinical psychology.
• 🏆 He was awarded the Distinguished Career in Psychology award by the American Psychological Association for his contributions to the field.
• 📖 Dr. May authored several classic books, including 'The Courage to Create', 'Love and Will', 'The Meaning of Anxiety', 'Freedom and Destiny', and 'Psychology and the Human Dilemma'.
• 🌐 Existential psychology differs from other clinical approaches by relying on a philosophical model, emphasizing concepts such as anxiety and individual courage, rather than a medical or behavioral model.
• 🔑 Anxiety, according to Dr. May, is not just a symptom but a gateway to explore the meaning of life and a stimulus for creativity and courage.
• 💀 The awareness of our mortality is a source of normal anxiety, which can be channeled into creative endeavors and meaningful activities.
• 🆓 Freedom is also a source of anxiety, as it brings with it the responsibility of making choices and facing their consequences.
• 🎭 Modern culture often attempts to divert and cope with fundamental anxiety through superficial pleasures, rather than embracing and transforming it into something more profound.
• 🔮 Dr. May criticizes the New Age movement for oversimplifying issues and avoiding real problems, advocating instead for a deeper existential exploration.
• 🎵 He believes that true joy comes from using one's talents for great aims and from the creative process, which involves facing and overcoming despair and anxiety.
• 🚀 Dr. May foresees a shift in society towards a new age that values truth, joy, understanding, and beauty, rather than material wealth and superficial happiness.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the interview with Dr. Rollo May?

The main topic of discussion is existential psychology, its foundations, and its application in clinical psychology as an alternative to medical and behavioral models.

How does Dr. May perceive existential psychology in relation to other forms of clinical psychology?

Dr. May sees existential psychology as a discipline that relies more on a philosophical model, emphasizing concepts such as anxiety and individual courage, in contrast to the medical or behavioral models commonly used in clinical psychology.

What role did Dr. May play in the establishment of existential psychology?

Dr. May was a founding sponsor of the Association for Humanistic Psychology and is recognized as a pioneer in the field of existential psychology and clinical psychology.

How does Dr. May interpret anxiety in the context of existential psychology?

Dr. May views anxiety not as a symptom to be removed but as a gateway for exploration into the meaning of life, a stimulus towards creativity and courage for those who are well-founded in their own hearts and souls.

What is Dr. May's perspective on the relationship between mortality and anxiety?

Dr. May believes that our awareness of mortality is a source of normal anxiety, which can motivate us to make the most of our lives and to engage in creative activities.

How does Dr. May differentiate between the concepts of happiness and joy in the context of existential psychology?

Dr. May sees happiness as a fleeting and superficial state, while joy is a deeper, more meaningful feeling that arises from using one's talents and understanding one's totality of being for great aims.

What does Dr. May identify as a significant issue in modern society in relation to existential psychology?

Dr. May points out that modern society tends to avoid anxiety through diversions and banal pleasures, rather than confronting it as a means to achieve true joy and creativity.

What is Dr. May's view on the current state of psychotherapy and its prevalence in society?

Dr. May suggests that the prevalence of psychotherapy is a sign of the decadence of our age, indicating that people are seeking help due to a lack of meaningful engagement with life's challenges.

How does Dr. May connect the ideas of love and will in his work?

Dr. May believes that love and will are interconnected and that a new way of love would involve people learning to be intimate again and forming genuine connections.

What is Dr. May's stance on the New Age movement and its approach to existential issues?

Dr. May is critical of the New Age movement, arguing that it oversimplifies problems and avoids dealing with the real issues of existence, such as anxiety, guilt, and the purpose of life.

How does Dr. May view the role of mysticism in existential psychology?

Dr. May sees mysticism, particularly the works of Western mystics like Jakob Boehme and Meister Eckhart, as a model of deep existential exploration that involves a genuine rebellion against the herd instinct and a search for the divine within.