ROLLO MAY (1) – SER-NO-MUNDO | PSICOLOGIA EXISTENCIAL

Summary

The video explores the contributions of Rollo May, a key figure in existential psychology, who influenced the field significantly in the U.S. He emphasized the importance of personal responsibility, freedom, and authenticity in overcoming anxiety and alienation. May believed that recognizing the inevitability of death and embracing the responsibility of choice is essential for psychological health. Drawing on existentialism, he and other philosophers, such as Kierkegaard and Sartre, challenged individuals to live authentically and actively shape their essence through personal decisions, despite the anxiety that comes with freedom and responsibility.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rollo May was an influential American psychologist, born in 1909 and passed away in 1994, and is considered a key figure in existential psychology.
• 😀 Existential psychology emerged in Europe after World War II and spread to other countries, notably the United States. It is deeply rooted in the philosophical ideas of Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Sartre, and others.
• 😀 Existential psychology stresses the importance of personal responsibility, with May emphasizing that each person is responsible for their own destiny.
• 😀 Many people avoid taking responsibility for their lives, choosing to give up their freedom in exchange for security, which leads to feelings of insignificance and alienation.
• 😀 Psychologically healthy individuals embrace their freedom, live authentically, and are aware of the inevitability of death, which helps them live in the present.
• 😀 Denying existential anxiety or avoiding thoughts of death can have negative consequences, as shown by May's observation of patients with tuberculosis who denied their anxieties.
• 😀 Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher, significantly influenced modern existential psychology, asserting that greater self-awareness leads to more freedom but also anxiety and responsibility.
• 😀 Existentialism emphasizes that existence precedes essence, meaning that individuals shape their identity and purpose through their choices, rather than being predefined by genetics or environment.
• 😀 Existentialists argue that human beings are not mere objects in a social machine; instead, they live actively and authentically, seeking to understand truth through subjective experience.
• 😀 Existentialism rejects abstract theories, valuing authentic experience over explanations that treat people as objects. May developed his psychological theories based on practical work with individuals in therapy.
• 😀 The existentialist concept of 'being-in-the-world' emphasizes the unity between a person and their environment, relationships, and authentic self, with alienation being a major cause of psychological distress in modern society.

Q & A

Who was Roll May, and what is his significance in existential psychology?

Roll May was an American psychologist born in 1909 and passed away in 1994. He is considered one of the most important figures in existential psychology in the United States. His work emphasizes the individual's responsibility for their own life and destiny.

How did existential psychology originate, and who were its main philosophical influences?

Existential psychology originated in Europe after World War II and spread to other countries, especially the United States. Its roots lie in the philosophy of thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre, and others. Early existential psychologists were mostly European, including Viktor Frankl, the creator of logotherapy.

What does Roll May mean by 'the courage to assume one's own destiny'?

May argues that most people lack the courage to take responsibility for their own lives and prefer to avoid this responsibility. By doing so, they give up much of their freedom and lose sight of who they truly are, leading to feelings of insignificance and alienation.

What role does the awareness of death play in existential psychology, according to May?

According to May, acknowledging the inevitability of death is crucial for psychological health. Those who face the reality of death can live authentically in the present, rather than becoming preoccupied with the past or a future that they are not actively working toward.

What does existential anxiety refer to, and how is it related to health?

Existential anxiety is the anxiety associated with recognizing our freedom and responsibility. May suggests that while this anxiety is uncomfortable, it is a necessary part of psychological health. People who deny this anxiety may struggle more in life than those who accept it.

What did May observe about people in a tuberculosis sanatorium, and what does it teach about existential anxiety?

May observed that some people in the tuberculosis sanatorium chose to deny the reality of death, attempting to live happily without confronting it. However, those who accepted their existential anxiety (the awareness of death) were more likely to survive. This highlights the importance of confronting existential anxiety for psychological well-being.

How does existentialism define 'existence precedes essence', and what does it mean for human nature?

In existentialism, 'existence precedes essence' means that human beings are not born with a predetermined essence or purpose. Instead, they create their essence through the choices they make. Our identity and purpose evolve as we continuously make new decisions.

What is the relationship between subjectivity and objectivity in existential thought?

Existentialists reject the separation of subjectivity and objectivity. They believe that human beings are not merely objects within a social system but are active beings who interact with both the world around them and their own internal experiences, constantly shaping their own meaning and understanding.

What does it mean to 'be in the world', according to existentialist psychology?

To 'be in the world' means to experience a sense of unity with the world, oneself, and others. This involves engaging authentically with reality, recognizing the interconnectedness of subjective and objective experience, and resisting feelings of alienation from nature, other people, or one's own true self.

What role does alienation play in modern society, according to existentialist psychology?

Alienation is seen as a significant issue in modern society, where people often feel disconnected from nature, others, and themselves. This disconnection leads to anxiety and despair. Existential psychology suggests that working towards reestablishing meaningful connections can help alleviate feelings of alienation and lead to greater psychological well-being.