Doping Existential Despair: Mindful of the Exotic Lure.
Integrative psychological & behavioral science September 1, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/s12124-024-09839-7 via PubMed
Summary
This paper critiques how mainstream psychology selectively adopts Eastern concepts like mindfulness while ignoring their broader philosophical systems. It argues for a truly ecological shift in studying the self, building on a Meadian analysis of meditation. The author proposes that fully embracing Eastern perspectives could transform psychological approaches to selfhood, emphasizing interconnectedness and context over individualistic frameworks.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | A truly ecological shift in the study of self requires adopting the whole philosophical system of Eastern perspectives rather than selectively appropriating concepts. |
Abstract
The paper builds on (von Fircks, E. Integr. psych. Behav. Sci. 2023) article on mindfulness meditation analysed in a Meadian perspective. First, the selective appropriation of some concepts by hegemonic psychology is critically discussed. Then, the consequences of adopting the whole philosophical system of Eastern perspectives are envisaged. Finally, a proposal for a truly ecological shift in the study of self is proposed.