AN ESSAY ON THE HISTORY OF ASIAN PSYCHOLOGY

Abstract

Western sage psychologists, such as the Murphys (1968), have long felt the need to inform themselves and their confn!res on Asian psychology, now looming so large on the western horizon, Like western psychology, Asian psychology developed a scientific methodology, first, by observing mind phenomena, called dharmas, introspectively.Originally, the Hindus turned to introspection for other than scientific reasons.The great adversities of the Indian subcontinent threw the Hindus upon selfcontemplation, which grew serious, solemn, and pessimistic (Murphy & Murphy, 1968).Turning inwards to such experience-poignantly put forward by Buddha-their introspection did not, however, remain passive.It grew active in the form of meditation, attaining inner rewards for outer pains. Essential Difference between Eastern and Western IntrospectionAsian, Christian, and Moslem meditators discovered through meditation that one can "blowout" the bewildering multiplicity of phenomenal experience and can thereby attain the ineffable, undifferentiated perception of the One, the Absolute, Divinity, as a reality.Western passive introspection yields only the differentiated experience of determinate objects, while Asian experimental introspection provides the undifferentiated experience of the One, the Absolute.According to Brentano's (1924) doctrine of intentionalism, a subject addresses himself always to determinate objects, real or imaginary.Eastern introspection, however, apart from observing passively determinate objects, discovers through experimental introspection, called meditation, the undifferentiated experience of the One, the Absolute.Had Brentano written his trailblazing "Empirical Psychology" not only on the background of neo-scholastic intentionalism but also from a familiarity with eastern meditation, western and eastern psychology would be closer to each other.As it is, their respective personality models contrast considereably. The Eastern and Western Personality Models Differ FundamentallyFundamental to the eastern personality model is conscious awareness, enabling man to master the world cognitively and volitionally.Eastern man aspires less to mastery of,