Problems of romanticism in transpersonal psychology: A case study of aikido

Abstract

Romanticism is becoming increasing prevalent in transpersonal psychology, subverting efforts to develop scientific approaches in this subfield of psychology. As a case study of some of romanticism's problems, the martial art and transpersonal system of Aikido is examined in regard to cultural errors and unwarranted supernatural assumptions. Specifically, 6 latent cultural errors (related to location, authority, time, ethnicity, narcissism, and transmission) are identified and critiqued while supernatural claims are challenged with alternative scientific explanations. In view of romanticism's problems in fostering such cultural errors and embracing supernatural explanations when more ordinary ones suffice, the importance of transpersonal psychology's resisting the challenge of romanticism is advocated and suggestions for the further development of this subfield as a science are provided.