Re-conceptualizing Neurosis as a Degree of Egocentricity: Ethical Issues in Psychological Theory

Psychology’s historical rejection of ethics has led to an oversimplification of the origins and treatments of mental disorders. In this article, we present an analysis of how classical neurosis can be reformulated from an ethical and psychological interaction. We focus on the crucial role that egoce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of religion and health
Main Author: Alvarez-Segura, M. (Author)
Contributors: Echavarria, M. F. (Other) ; Vitz, P. C. (Other)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Science + Business Media B. V. [2015]
In: Journal of religion and health
Further subjects:B Neurosis
B Ethics
B Egocentricity
B Self-giving
B Virtues
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:Psychology’s historical rejection of ethics has led to an oversimplification of the origins and treatments of mental disorders. In this article, we present an analysis of how classical neurosis can be reformulated from an ethical and psychological interaction. We focus on the crucial role that egocentricity plays and argue that this term can help to clarify how ego defensive ethical decisions can undermine psychological capacities and contribute to a progressive depersonalization that can result in typical clinical disorders. In Christian anthropology, the virtues, especially humility and love have a crucial role in the positive growth of human affective and cognitive capacities. In addition, the person in his/her nature is endowed with the capacity to transcend the self and to escape egocentricity through self-giving love of God and of others. This capacity of self-giving is diametrically opposed to egocentricity and opens a new way for possible psychological recovery.
ISSN:1573-6571
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religion and health
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s10943-014-9939-7