Soul, Spirit, and Consciousness in Psychology and Philosophy: Traditions, Current Views, Perspectives

• Published in: European psychologist 2021-04, Vol.26 (2), p.71-72
• Main Authors: Weger, Ulrich W., Wagemann, Johannes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Concepts; Consciousness States; Human; Phenomenology; Philosophies; Psychology; Soul; Spirituality; Theology; Traditions
• ISSN: 1016-9040; 1878-531X
• DOI: 10.1027/1016-9040/a000430

The question about body, soul, and spirit has been part of most contemplative traditions over the millennia and has likewise been at the center of philosophical and theological enquiries both inside academia and beyond. Since its inception as an academic discipline, psychology has emancipated itself more and more from this tradition: while the concepts still resonated amongst some of the early pioneers of the field, they receded more and more into the background of scholarly debate. Other questions have emerged into prominence – some of them perhaps bearing a certain resemblance to – or at least unfolding in a succession of – the original trichotomy; and yet, many core questions remain a challenge or even appear intractable on the basis of the current research framework – including the question about phenomenological consciousness, the self, the mind-body problem, and others (see also Beauregard et al., 2018; Sparby, 2021; Weger & Wagemann, 2015). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)