Rollo May In Ten Minutes

Summary

In this script, Rollo May's influential work in existential psychology is explored, emphasizing his integration of existential thought with psychotherapy. May, inspired by philosophers like Kierkegaard and Heidegger, advocates for a therapy that addresses the core of our existence, promoting a felt connection to reality and a commitment to authentic living. He critiques modern society's distorted views on freedom and responsibility, urging a reconnection with the depth of our lives and the mystery of being.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Existentialism was a predominantly European phenomenon, but Rollo May was a major advocate for integrating it into American psychology.
• 🧠 Rollo May's existential psychology was influenced by philosophers like Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Tillich, as well as by psychoanalytic thought.
• 🤝 Rollo May's work is often associated with humanistic psychology, though it retains a distinctly existential flavor.
• 🔍 His existential psychotherapy seeks change at the level of our relation to existence itself, rather than just modifying behaviors or cognitions.
• 🌿 Experiencing the reality of our existence, or the 'I am' experience, is crucial for substantive psychotherapeutic change.
• 🛋️ Existential psychotherapy aims to help individuals commit to a way of being, emphasizing passion and commitment over mere existence.
• 🔄 Rollo May critiques modern society's mechanized way of life and its alienating effects, advocating for a deeper connection to existence.
• 📉 He highlights the imbalance in our lives, focusing too much on doing and not enough on being, leading to a loss of existential depth.
• 💡 May discusses the 'distrust of freedom,' where societal structures limit our sense of personal liberty and responsibility.
• ⚖️ Conversely, he critiques the 'full freedom assumption,' where people desire absolute freedom without acknowledging real-world limitations.
• 🌟 Rollo May's work challenges individuals to reassume their relation to existence, both in personal and cultural contexts, to live a more balanced and meaningful life.

Q & A

What is existential psychology as formulated by Rollo May?

Existential psychology, as formulated by Rollo May, is a branch of psychology that integrates existential philosophy. It seeks to understand human experiences and behavior in relation to the reality of our existence and being, emphasizing the importance of our relation to life and the whole pattern of our existence.

Which existential philosophers greatly influenced Rollo May's work?

Rollo May was particularly influenced by Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Paul Tillich. He was also influenced to a lesser extent by Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and other existential thinkers.

How does Rollo May's work relate to humanistic psychology?

Rollo May's work finds confluence with humanistic psychology, and he is often regarded as a humanistic psychologist. However, his work retains a distinctly existential flavor, focusing on the individual's experience and relation to existence.

What is the primary goal of existential psychotherapy according to Rollo May?

The primary goal of existential psychotherapy, according to Rollo May, is to seek change at the level of our relation to existence itself. It aims to address the whole pattern of our lives rather than just modifying specific behaviors or cognitions.

What does Rollo May refer to as the 'I-am-experience'?

The 'I-am-experience' is a term used by Rollo May to describe the experience of realizing the reality of our existence. It is a moment of profound awareness that forms the basis for any substantive psychotherapeutic change.

How does Rollo May view the role of commitment in existential psychotherapy?

Rollo May views commitment as a crucial aspect of existential psychotherapy. He emphasizes the importance of taking a decisive stance in life and committing to a way of being, reflecting Kierkegaard's insistence on the primacy of passion and existential decisiveness.

What is the significance of 'authentic existence' in Rollo May's philosophy?

Authentic existence, in Rollo May's philosophy, refers to living out our own most potentiality for being, embracing our deepest possibilities as distinct human beings. It is about living in a way that is true to our own existence and not merely deferring to societal norms.

How does Rollo May critique the mechanized way of life and its values?

Rollo May critiques the mechanized way of life for fostering ontological repression, where people focus on being good producers and consumers and seek entertainment to avoid boredom, losing the sense of the real depth of their lives and their participation in the grand mystery of being.

What does Rollo May mean by 'epistemological loneliness'?

Epistemological loneliness, as described by Rollo May, refers to the feeling of isolation that arises from the realization that much of what we know is not terribly relevant to our existence. It is the disconnect between the vast amount of information we consume and its actual significance to our lives.

How does Rollo May analyze the distortion of freedom and responsibility in society?

Rollo May identifies two primary distortions of freedom and responsibility: 'distrust of freedom,' where society assumes people are incapable of handling adult freedoms, and the 'full freedom assumption,' which promotes an infantile vision of absolute freedom without connection to others or the world's limitations.

What is the cultural challenge presented by Rollo May's work?

The cultural challenge presented by Rollo May's work is to rebalance our lives by giving up some of our preoccupations and distractions, and to live a deep and abiding relation to the reality of existence itself, reassuming our relation to existence as a primary dynamic of our lives.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Integrating Existential Philosophy into Psychology

Rollo May, an American psychologist, is recognized for his efforts to blend existential philosophy with psychology. His existential psychology is influenced by a range of existential thinkers, including Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Tillich, with a lesser impact from Sartre and Camus. May's work also intersects with humanistic psychology, although it retains a unique existential quality. He critiques society and psychotherapy, advocating for change that is deeply connected to our existence. Existential psychotherapy, according to May, should not merely modify behaviors but should address our entire life pattern, fostering an 'I-am' experience that acknowledges the reality of our existence. This approach to therapy does not rely on specific techniques but on an attitude that can be applied to any therapeutic method.

05:01

🏭 Social Critique and the Misinterpretation of Freedom

In the second paragraph, Rollo May extends his existential psychology to include a social critique, particularly focusing on the alienating effects of industry and technology. He argues that our modern lifestyle leads to an ontological repression, causing us to lose touch with the depth of our lives and our role in the grand mystery of existence. May also discusses epistemological loneliness, where much of our knowledge is disconnected from our existential reality. He critiques the cultural distortions of freedom and responsibility, identifying a prevalent 'distrust of freedom' that infantilizes us, and a 'full freedom assumption' that promotes an unrealistic vision of absolute freedom. May's work calls for a reevaluation of our relationship with existence, urging a cultural and personal rebalancing that prioritizes our authentic engagement with life.

10:03

🌿 The Challenge to Embrace Existence and Responsibility

The final paragraph summarizes May's challenge to us: to shift our focus from our constant distractions and preoccupations to a deep and meaningful relationship with the reality of existence. May's work encourages us to reassess our priorities and to live in a way that is more connected to our true selves and the world around us. It is a call to action for both personal and cultural transformation, aiming for a more authentic and responsible way of living.

Keywords

💡Existentialism

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and subjective experience in determining the meaning of life. In the video, existentialism is the overarching theme, with Rollo May being highlighted as a key advocate for integrating existential philosophy into psychology. The script discusses how existentialism can inform psychotherapy and social critique, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and personal responsibility.

💡Rollo May

Rollo May is an American psychologist known for his work in existential psychology. He is characterized in the script as drawing from existential thought and being influenced by various philosophers, including Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. May's work is seen as a bridge between existential philosophy and psychology, particularly in the development of existential psychotherapy.

💡Existential Psychology

Existential Psychology is a branch of psychology that incorporates existential philosophical concepts to understand human behavior and mental processes. The script describes Rollo May's efforts to formulate an existential psychology, which focuses on the individual's relationship to existence and the reality of being, rather than just addressing symptoms or behaviors.

💡Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic Psychology is a psychological perspective that emphasizes the inherent goodness and potential of humans, as well as their personal growth and self-actualization. Rollo May is often regarded as a humanistic psychologist, as his work aligns with the movement's focus on the individual's unique experiences and potential for growth, while maintaining an existential flavor.

💡Existential Psychotherapy

Existential Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that seeks to help individuals confront and understand the fundamental aspects of existence, such as freedom, choice, and responsibility. The script explains that existential psychotherapy, as advocated by Rollo May, aims to facilitate change at the level of an individual's relationship to existence, rather than merely addressing specific behaviors or cognitions.

💡I- Thou Experience

The 'I-Thou' experience, derived from the script's reference to 'I am' experienced, refers to a profound encounter with one's own existence and reality. It is a central concept in existential psychotherapy, where experiencing the reality of one's existence is seen as essential for personal growth and meaningful change. The script uses the example of moments of deep relaxation to illustrate this experience.

💡Alienation

Alienation is a concept that describes a state of feeling disconnected or estranged from one's self, others, or society. In the script, Rollo May examines the alienating effects of industry and technology on our lives, suggesting that modern life can lead to a loss of connection with the depth of our existence and the 'grand mystery of being'.

💡Ontological Repression

Ontological Repression refers to the suppression or denial of an individual's awareness of their own existence and its implications. The script mentions this concept in the context of modern life, where the pressures to be good producers and consumers, as well as to avoid boredom, can lead to a loss of the sense of being and participation in the larger mystery of existence.

💡Epistemological Loneliness

Epistemological Loneliness is a term used in the script to describe the feeling of isolation that arises from the realization that much of what we know is not deeply relevant to our existence. Rollo May argues that much of our knowledge, such as trivia about commercial products or entertainment, does not truly benefit our souls or our sense of self.

💡Freedom and Responsibility

Freedom and Responsibility are central themes in the script, discussed in the context of existential psychotherapy and social critique. Rollo May's analysis suggests that our culture often distorts the meanings of these concepts, either by distrusting our ability to handle freedom or by promoting an unrealistic vision of absolute freedom. The script challenges us to reassess our understanding of freedom and responsibility in light of our existential reality.

💡Social Critique

Social Critique refers to the analysis and evaluation of society, its institutions, and practices, often with the aim of suggesting improvements or changes. In the script, Rollo May's work is described as containing a social critique that examines the mechanized way of life and the values that support it, particularly focusing on how industry, technology, and cultural norms can distort our understanding of freedom, responsibility, and existence.

Highlights

Rollo May is a key advocate for integrating existential philosophy into psychology.

May's work in existential psychology draws from a broad range of existentialist thinkers, including Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Tillich.

May was influenced by psychoanalytic thought and frequently explores the unconscious in his work.

May's work aligns with humanistic psychology, though it retains a distinct existential flavor.

Existential psychotherapy focuses on change in relation to the reality of our existence.

May argues that change lacking a connection to our existence is trivial.

Existential psychotherapy seeks change at the level of our relation to life and existence itself.

The 'I-am' experience, as described by May, is foundational for substantive psychotherapeutic change.

May emphasizes the importance of experiencing the reality of our existence to foster a deep connection to life.

Existential psychotherapy aims to help individuals commit to a way of being and take decisive stances in life.

May's work reflects Kierkegaard's emphasis on passion, commitment, and living with existential decisiveness.

Heidegger's analysis on living out our potentiality for being is a key influence on May's approach to existential psychotherapy.

Existential psychotherapy does not offer specific techniques but rather a particular attitude toward using techniques.

May's work contains a social critique of the mechanized way of life and the values that support it.

May examines the alienating effects of industry and technology on our sense of being and existence.

May discusses the cultural tendency to overemphasize doing over being, leading to a loss of connection with the depth of life.

May's social critique addresses the distortion of freedom and responsibility in modern society.

May identifies 'distrust of freedom' as a prevalent cultural distortion, undermining personal liberty and responsibility.

The 'full freedom assumption' is another distortion May critiques, representing an infantile and unrealistic vision of freedom.

May's work challenges us to rebalance our lives by living in deep relation to the reality of existence.

Transcripts

Rollo may in ten minutes although

existentialism was an overwhelmingly

European phenomenon there's probably

been no greater advocate for integrating

existential philosophy into psychology

than the American psychologist Rollo May

first let's characterize Rollo Mays work

in general terms in seeking to formulate

an existential psychology Rollo made

draws from the broad palette of

existential thought he's particularly

influenced by Soren Kierkegaard

Friedrich Nietzsche Martin Heidegger and

Paul Tillich and to a lesser extent by

jean-paul Sartre Albert Camus and

numerous others in addition like many of

the early existentially oriented

psychologists Rollo May is also greatly

influenced by his contact with

psychoanalytic thought and the

unconscious remains a recurrent motif in

his work Rollo mais work also finds

confluence with the movement of

humanistic psychology so much so that

he's often regarded as a humanistic

psychologist proper however his work

always retains a distinctly existential

flavor in terms of its concrete content

much of Rollo Mays work crystallizes in

the form of an existential informed

social critique however he's also

greatly interested in evolving

existential forms of psychotherapy so

what is existential psychotherapy like

existential philosophy existential

psychotherapy has to do with seeking

change in our lives in relation to the

reality of our existence or being in

fact from Rollo Mays point of view any

sort of change that lacks a felt

connection to the reality of our

existence is trivial at best this

contention of course already forms the

contours of a critique of much of

psychotherapy as we know it especially

the kinds of psychotherapy that would

content themselves with simply modifying

people's problematic behaviors or

rearranging people's cognitions or

affective reactions for Rollo may

psychotherapy must seek change at the

level of our relation to existence

itself at the level of our relation to

life consequently existential

psychotherapy seeks change in the entire

whole

allistic pattern or Gestalt of our lives

rather than in only one part but how do

we change at the level of our relation

to being for Rallo may this kind of

change requires that we actually

experience the reality of our existence

he calls this kind of experience and I

am experienced and it forms the basis of

any kind of substantive

psychotherapeutic change of course the I

M experience can take many forms

some of them filled with anxiety dread

anguish and the other difficult

sensations the existentialist explorer

however perhaps an easier way of getting

a sense for the I M experience would be

to think of times when you're really

relaxing when you're sitting on a porch

swing on a bright breezy day for

instance and as you let your normal

cares begin to drift away you might

begin to notice things that we're always

there but that you'd overlooked before

the smell of the breeze for instance or

the way the Sun feels on your skin and

as you settle down even more you might

have an extraordinary moment or you're

just dumbstruck by the reality of

existence itself that you exist or that

anything exists for that matter for

rollo may these kinds of experiences are

extremely important how we relate to the

reality of our lives so existential

psychotherapy attempts to honor and

foster them however existential

psychotherapy also aims at helping us

move toward taking a decisive concrete

stance in life toward committing to a

way of being here Rollo Mays work

reflects the Danish philosopher søren

kierkegaard insistence on the primacy of

passion and commitment on living with a

sense of existential decisiveness rather

than just going through the motions and

of all the ways that we can commit to a

way of being existential psychotherapy

places particularly

off entick existence here Rollo may

follows the German philosopher Martin

Heidegger 'he's analysis which indicates

that while most of the time we simply

defer to what they say we also have the

opportunity of glimpsing and living out

our own most potentiality for being in

other words living out our deepest

possibilities as the distinct

human beings we are however the reality

of our existence is that these sorts of

things don't simply happen in any

systematic way they don't come about

simply because we're following some

recipe or formula consequently

existential psychotherapy doesn't offer

many specific psycho therapeutic

techniques and procedures to bring them

about instead existential psychotherapy

offers a particular attitude toward

techniques rather than a body of

techniques per se in theory just about

any psycho therapeutic technique could

be used in an existential way even

techniques such as behavior modification

however in practice it's probably much

more common to use a technique such as

Rogerian psychotherapy with its

reflective punctuation of the subtle

intimations of being contained in the

clients speech of course as we noted

earlier another big theme that emerges

in Rollo Mae's work is a kind of social

critique in this regard Rollo Mae's work

follows the larger trajectory of

existential thought which often contains

an implicit critique of our mechanized

way of life and the values that

undergird it in particular Rollo Mae

examines the alienating effects of

Industry and technology on our lives for

Rollo may we live in times that foster a

kind of ontological repression in our

frenetic efforts to be good producers

and consumers on one hand and to be

entertained and avoid boredom on the

other we tend to lose the sense for the

real depth of our lives we lose the

sense for being participants in the

grand mystery of being along with the

kind of empowerment that can come with

that realization in essence we tend to

place too much emphasis on doing so that

we forget about being a kind of

systematic imbalance that runs

throughout much of our modern world

Rollo may similarly speaks of a kind of

epistemological loneliness that runs

through our times our epistemological

loneliness is that at the end of the day

much of what we know isn't terribly

relevant to our existence as such in

reality most of it doesn't actually

benefit us where we live and breathe for

in

think of the fraction of things you

learned in all your years of school that

really moved you at the level of who and

what you are for most of us it's

probably a small ratio or consider the

mass of information you know about

commercial products or old Seinfeld

episodes or how to operate computers and

then wonder about how much of it really

matters to your soul but perhaps a more

trenchant part of rolla may social

critique has to do with the meaning of

freedom and responsibility according to

his analysis we typically distort the

meanings of freedom and responsibility

in one of two primary ways he calls one

of these highly prevalent distortions

distrust of freedom and has to do with

our world's tendency to assume that

we're incapable of handling adult

freedoms and responsibilities for

instance consider our culture's

prohibition of drug use isn't the

underlying assumption here that without

the mechanisms of law enforcement we

would be incapable of deciding for

ourselves whether to become say heroin

addicts but isn't the obvious reality

that those of us who are bent on

becoming heroin addicts do so every day

quite irrespective of the law and those

of us who have no interest in it aren't

about to do it regardless of its

legality so then what is the war on

drugs really about following Rollo Mays

analysis of the distrust of freedom

perhaps the war on drugs is really a war

on our sense of personal liberty and our

responsibility for our own well-being or

consider the ongoing proliferation of

kindly warning labels designed to

protect us from ourselves again could it

be that what's really going on here is

an attempt to undercut our sense of

personal agency and responsibility for

ourselves mostly by insinuating that we

really need that kind of advice for

Rollo may all of these are instances of

a pervasive pattern of distrust of

freedom that runs through our cultural

terrain however the other principle

distortion of freedom runs in the exact

opposite direction and Rollo may calls

it the full freedom assumption basically

the full freedom assumption is the the

idea that we are

or at least should be free in an

absolute sense with no real connection

to the people around us or to the

limitations imposed on us by the larger

world one place to glimpse this is in

the relatively recent spate of

advertisements that plays on people's

investment in this kind of absolute

vision of freedom for Rollo Mae this

represents an infantile distortion of

freedom one that's fundamentally at odds

with the existential reality we inhabit

in essence our culture embodies and

propagates a fundamental distortion of

the meaning of freedom by preferring us

a vision that oscillates between polar

extremes of distrusting freedom on one

hand and pining for a dishonest

infantile vision of it on the other

what's missing in this of course is the

reality of freedom and responsibility as

we experience them all in all Rollo

Mae's work represents a powerful

exhortation for us to reassume our

relation to existence as one of the

primary dynamics of our lives this is

true both within the domain of

psychology and psychotherapy as well as

in the area of our culture more

generally in this regard Rollo Mae's

work presents us with an exciting

personal and cultural challenge to

rebalance our lives by giving up some

measure of our perennial preoccupations

and distractions and to begin to live a

deep and abiding relation to the reality

of existence itself and that's Rollo Mae

in ten minutes