#3 Psychology from the 15th to 18th Century

Overview of Psychology: 15th to 18th Century

  • Examination of the influence of scientific knowledge, religious, and folk knowledge.

  • Discussion of the impact of various scholars and their theories during this time.

Transition from the Middle Ages to Modernity

  • Education and science have diminished superstitions, but do they still exist?

    • Examples of superstitions in Western cultures: avoiding number 13, number 666.

    • Examples from Southeast Asia: avoidance of number four due to cultural beliefs.

  • Personal family superstitions shared by the lecturer:

    • Avoid placing shoes on a table or hats on a bed to prevent bad luck.

    • Itching palm indicates coming money.

    • Faith in horoscopes and astrological signs.

  • The transition from the 15th to the 18th centuries should be viewed as continual acquisition of knowledge rather than a complete leap forward.

Figures in Scientific Knowledge

  • Key figures include:

    • Copernicus

    • Galileo

    • Newton

    • Kepler

  • Beliefs of the time:

    • Nature's secrets were believed to be encoded in mathematical formulas.

    • Shift from divine explanations to mechanical and chemical perspectives.

Early Scientific Misconceptions

  • Misunderstanding of brain function centered on ventricles:

    • The belief that brain functions originated in ventricles containing brain fluids.

    • Dominance of Galen's teachings before the 16th century:

    • Mandatory readings for medical students.

    • Treatments focused on imbalances of the four humors:

      • Yellow bile, black bile, blood, phlegm.

Influence of Organized Religion

  • Ongoing impact of organized religion on explanations for abnormal behavior.

    • Example: Sleepwalking (somnambulism) viewed historically:

    • Defined as episodes during non-REM sleep.

    • Today, scientifically linked to genetics; common in families.

    • Historically labeled as lunatics due to lunar influences, seen as dangerous individuals in contact with the devil.

The Concept of Witchcraft and its Societal Implications

  • Witchcraft defined as the practices involving supernatural powers and sorcery:

    • Historical context: witches blamed for physical and psychological ailments, as well as natural disasters.

    • Notorious historical trials and societal attitudes towards witches.

  • Modern portrayal of witches in pop culture:

    • Contrasted with historical perceptions; often depicted in a humorous or positive light (e.g., Harry Potter series).

Contributions of Scholars

  • Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz:

    • Developed a holistic view suggesting separateness yet synchronization of body and mind.

    • Concept of monads:

    • Infinite spiritual forces reflecting the state of other monads, containing all past and future properties.

    • Example of perception:

    • Sound of waves illustrates perception through composite sounds converging from individual stimuli.

    • Differentiation of three types of knowledge:

    1. Clear knowledge

    2. Fragmented knowledge

    3. Unconscious knowledge

    • Concept of apperception: Combining various perceptions into conscious thoughts.

Philosophical Developments in the Eighteenth Century

  • Rise of Deism:

    • God exists but does not interfere in earthly affairs, promoting scientific epistemology.

    • Inquiry into the source of knowledge provoked debate; George Berkeley's contributions.

  • George Berkeley's Principle:

    • "To be is to be perceived." Knowledge comes from sensory experiences.

    • Judgment formation based on sensory coordination of experiences:

    • Example: Validating the chair's existence through various sensory inputs.

  • David Hume:

    • Studied human behavior and emotion:

    • Described four personality types:

      1. Epicurean - elegance and pleasure-seeking.

      2. Stoic - action-oriented and virtuous.

      3. Platonist - contemplative and philosophically devoted.

      4. Skeptic - critical thinker.

Sensation and Memory Theories

  • David Hartley:

    • Proposed sensations derive from vibrations in neural elements:

    • Pleasure via regular vibrations; pain through extreme vibrations.

    • Memory theory linked to physical marks left in the brain by sensations, facilitating recall:

    • Example: Heart rate increases in response to fear due to past associations.

  • Rene Descartes:

    • Advocated for non-physical higher mental functions.

    • Contrast with Hartley’s physicalist notions.

    • Decomplex activities defined, emphasizing associations of movements with perceptions across sensory modalities.

Institutions and Intellectual Progress

  • Baron d'Holbach (Paul Henri Thiry):

    • Argued for the brain as the center of activity, debunking soul-centric views.

    • Contributed to the Encyclopedia summarizing contemporary arts and sciences for broader public access.

    • Hosted salons for intellectual discourse, featuring notable thinkers like Benjamin Franklin and David Hume.

  • Etienne Bonnot de Condillac:

    • Argued that sensation is foundational to mental processes and abstract thinking.

    • Presented Condillac's statue allegory:

    • Sensory acquisition leading to discrimination and understanding.

    • Attention as a key factor in retaining impressions (memory).

    • Ideas and concepts formed from sensations, promoting improvement in thinking as intellectual capacities evolve.

Conclusion of the Lecture

  • The understanding of psychology evolved significantly through these centuries, influenced by the intersection of scientific developments, philosophical theories, and cultural beliefs.