On the Possibility of Self-Transcendence: Philosophical Counseling, Zen, and the Psychological Perspective
Journal of Chinese Philosophy February 10, 1996 DOI: 10.1163/15406253-02303003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Buddhism |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that philosophical counseling can be understood in two ways, one centered on clarifying the self and the other on transcending it, and examines the latter by comparing it with self-transcendence in Zen Buddhism. The paper considers whether philosophical counseling can overcome psychological obstacles to a transcendent aim and discusses possible effects of integrating psychological intervention into that philosophical search. |
Abstract
This paper distinguishes between two conceptions of philosophical counseling. The one focuses on the clarification of the individual’s psychological and philosophical self and the other on the transcendence of that self. A comparison of the latter conception with the self-transcendence that rakes place through Zen Buddhism contributes to the examination of the question of whether philosophical counseling can indeed overcome potential psychological obstacles to attaining a transcendent aim. Possible influences of the integration of psychological intervention into the philosophical search for transcendence are also discussed.