In a recent post, Nathan Heflick writes on the topic of "Why and How Afterlife Belief Occurs". At first blush, it would appear the premise of this research is predicated upon the antecedent premise that has most regrettably become the container for our view of modern psychology -- that is, the division of science and spirit. Empirical research gives us an oftentimes valid point of reference for human behavior, but what about the thing that we can never quite put our finger on -- the spirit of the thing?
In point of fact, psychology began as the "study of the spirit" -- a marriage of the words psyche (spirit) and logos (knowing) are the foundation for the original meaning of the word "psychology" -- and it has been through the imposition of post-Cartesian rationality that we have drifted from that point.
Rather than offer a redundant apologia on post-Cartesian drift, I would simply point interested readers to my two previous (2008) articles on the subject of the failure of modern psychology to maintain its mandate as a spiritual science and the more recent shift back toward that same mandate.
The Failure of Psychology and the Death of Psychotherapy, Pt. 1
The Failure of Psychology and the Death of Psychotherapy, Pt. 2
As for Mr. Heflick's work, he offers some interesting insights into the workings of the body-mind and how changes in environemental influence may in turn influence the shifting landscapes of belief systems and their application.
© 2009 Michael J. Formica, All Rights Reserved
Michael's Mailing List | Michael's eMail | Follow Michael on Twitter
Michael on Facebook | The Integral Life Institute on Facebook
