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Essay 2 Dterm

This document discusses and compares the psychological and Christian views of philosophical anthropology. The psychological view seeks to understand human beings by observing how they live in the world, while the Christian view believes humans are made in God's image and meant to live according to God's will. Both views make assumptions and can learn from each other. While the psychological view can be applied universally, the Christian view is held primarily by Christians. The views could be reconciled by understanding each perspective's importance rather than compromising foundational beliefs.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

24 views4 pages

Essay 2 Dterm

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Sarah

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Sarah Stanley

Rev, Wugh

Psychology 420

Anthropology

Philosophical anthropology is how we take what we observe and justify what affects us

physically and metaphysically. In the textbook there are two different sides of this. In

Philosophical anthropology, there's a psychological view about it, and a Christian view of it. It

seems as though psychology and Christianity do not mix well. Historically speaking Christianity

is seemingly illegitimate, and psychology is something that is of the world and in some ways

outside of God's will. Both of these views are extreme perceptions of one another, but they do

drive the opposition amongst the fields. In the textbook mentions that both sides tend to look at

things through their own assumptions and predispositions (Entwistle 2015). With that being said

it seems like each side has a lot to learn and so does everyone else.

The theological understanding of philosophical anthropology allows us to understand

who we are, who others are, and how we interact. This understanding as seen through the lens of

research, studying, and worldly observations. The Christian view of philosophical anthropology

is that we are made in God's image, and our purpose in life is to live within God's will. The

Christian view outlines how we must live in the world, and the psychological view is trying to

understand how we live in the world. In the text by Kitch, it talks about the relation between a

Christian view of philosophical anthropology and a democratic one. In the text it compares the

two more similarly than the comparison of Christianity and psychology. This is due to the idea

that government tells us how we aught to live in the same ways Christianity does as well (Kitch

2019).
I think the psychological understanding of philosophical anthropology has physical

means of intervention. psychology is something that can be applied to any facet of life regardless

of culture, religious constructs, or location. Whereas Christian worldviews are usually only

upheld by Christians. Another thing that psychology has in regards to philosophical

anthropology is the ability to bridge gaps amongst different people groups. In the article by

Crockett I talks about the construct of morality. The article states that morality is reinforced by

outcomes that have happened in the past (Crockett 2013). I think this statement is true for

Christian, and psychological views of philosophical Anthropology. The psychological

understanding of who we are as people does not require a person to adhere to certain moral

standings. In contrast to a Christian view of philosophical anthropology one is called upon to

uphold certain Christian morals and or a lifestyle.

Something that the Christian view of philosophical anthropology has is a spiritual

foundation. The idea that people have a spiritual variable to them is widely held amongst

cultures, we cannot talk about humanity without talking about some sort of spiritual construct.

Psychology tends to dismiss the idea of spiritual aspects, thus diminishing some people's

perceived experiences. Another thing that the Christian view of philosophical anthropology has

is, this shared goal and this view that is a call to action. In the Christian worldview we are called

to live a certain way within this world, put in a psychological view people are not necessarily

called to live a certain way there just observed in the way they are living.

I do think that psychological and Christian views of philosophical anthropology can be

reconciled. In the article by Kwan it talks about reconciliation in the medial field for the safety

and care of patients. In the Article it talks about identifying discrepancies and addressing them

with all parties involved (Kwan 2013). I think that reconciliation does not have to be
compromising on one's value or foundation. I believe that reconciliation can be seen through

understanding the importance that each view or Field hold. if we do not try to strive for this

understanding of one another then it can hinder the psychological and the Christian desire to