13: May - Existential Psychology / The Defterolepto Man Flashcards
in May’s theory, the part of our lives that is determined for us, our “raw materials” for life
destiny
in May’s theory, facing one’s anxiety and rising above it - parallel to “authenticity”
courage
first stage of development in May’s theory - premoral, pre-self-conscious, pre-egoic, infancy, only doing what you must do
time of innocence
second stage of development in May’s theory - developing ego and self-consciousness in childhood/adolescence by means of contrasting with adults, desiring freedom though not yet understanding it
time of rebellion
third stage of development in May’s theory - conventional adult ego, seek refuge in conformity and traditional values
ordinary consciousness of self
fourth stage of development in May’s theory - existential stage, authentic adult, beyond ego, self-actualizing, accepts destiny and faces anxiety with courage
creative consciousness of self
in May’s theory, “the apprehension cued off by a threat to some value which the individual holds essential to his existence as a self”
anxiety
May’s first book, based on readings of Kierkegaard, which explores anxiety
The Meaning of Anxiety
May’s book containing most of his unique/original ideas (daimons)
Love and Will
basic motivational construct in May’s theory, composed of a collection of specific motives called daimons
the daimonic
Greek word meaning “little god” that can represent lower needs (food, sex) or higher needs (love) with the ability to “take over” someone
daimons
a daimon need “taking over” an individual - balance among needs is disrupted, making the daimon “evil”
daimonic possession
daimon representing love, need to “become one” with another person
eros
daimon representing the ability to organize oneself in order to achieve one’s goals, ability to make wishes come true
will
manifestations of daimons which are “playful imaginings of possibilities”, require will to come true
wishes
a term for May’s first personality type - all will but no love, exceptional self-discipline but no wishes to act upon, perfectionistic (“anal”) but empty
neo-Puritan
a term for May’s second personality type - all wishes but no will, filled with dreams/desires but no self-discipline to see them through, become dependent and conformist
infantile
a term for May’s third personality type - a balance of daimons, uniting love and will
creative
May’s final book which explores myths and the loss of values in the 20th century
The Cry for Myth
stories that help us to make sense of our lives and serve as “guiding narratives” - resemble Jung’s archetypes
myths
existentialist term derived from Greek words meaning “second/minute”
the Defterolepto man
first aspect of life in existentialism - our past
what we were
second aspect of life in existentialism - our dreams, desires, wishes
what we will be
third aspect of life in existentialism - our current selves (the Defterolepto man lives in the present, not pushed by the past nor pulled by the future)
what we are
first mode of living in the “now” - living our lives with respect for the universe, nature, biology
Umwelt
second mode of living in the “now” - living with respect for others, humanity, humanizing your fellow man
Mitwelt
third mode of living in the “now” - living with respect for ourselves, self-acceptance
Eigenwelt
who we are at any given time - static
essence
the fluid process of growth and change within our lives - valued by existentialists
existence
painful feeling that emanates from a realistic threat to our established values
normal anxiety
painful feeling produced by an excessive reaction to a threat to our values
neurotic anxiety
existentialist term that refers to both the slow inherent process of dying and the process of denying/ignoring who you are (alcoholism, drug addiction, hate, depression, emptiness)
non-being
guilt caused by removing ourselves from nature through overreliance on technology (most common in industrialized societies)
Umwelt guilt
guilt caused by being unable to meet the needs of others, which we always are on some level
Mitwelt guilt
guilt caused by denying our potentials and our failure to meet those potentials
Eigenwelt guilt
structure of our lives which gives meaning to experience and allows people to make decisions about the future - positive force when rooted in reality, neurotic force when not
intentionality
first type of love - altruistic esteem for others’ welfare
Agape love
second type of love - a platonic friendship between two people, acceptance of another person
Philia love
third type of love - psychological desire for procreation through an enduring union with a loved one
Eros love
fourth type of love - biological function to remove sexual tension, nothing else
sexual love
freedom to take action, to do something
existential freedom
freedom to be who we are, to exist, to know ourselves
essential freedom
