Stoicism and Psychology

Our discussion today on stoicism and psychoanalysis has prompted me to share a bit more of my thoughts on the topic. I would argue that most psychological endeavors are in complete harmony with the Stoic beliefs. It is not that a therapist or psychiatrist is offering an excuse for a human to act in accordance with nature. Rather, the psychiatrist offers a patient a sort of rational or backing for the patient’s emotions. Once a patient understands why and how he or she feels the way that they do, it is then the job of the psychiatrist to guide the patient in his or her emotional transformation. A GOOD therapist or psychiatrist should not merely allow a patient to act irrationally. A therapist, in my opinion, should listen, help one’s patient to understand his or her underlying issues. Without reaching that understanding, it is very difficult for a person to change. I think that psychology may be misunderstood if one takes it to be a mere defense for irrational behavior. Psychology should be used to help a person understand that his or her feelings are NATURAL, but just because those feelings are NATURAL does not make them RATIONAL.

“You know the old joke. How many therapists does it take to change a light bulb?
It will change only when it truly wants to change.”

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/fred_edwords/stoicism.html