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OCKHAM, HOBBES, AND A THE ROMANTIC REVOLT Jessie Brown AC2108460 Ashworth College History and Systems of Psychology Assignment 4 December 4, 2023

William of Ockham, a medieval philosopher and theologian, made significant contributions to various fields, including theology, metaphysics, and epistemology. While he is perhaps best known for his formulation of Ockham's Razor, a principle emphasizing simplicity in explanation, his influence extends to the realm of psychology. Examining Ockham's ideas provides valuable insights into the historical development of psychological thought (Spade, 1999). Ockham's Razor, is often summarized as "entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity," underscores the importance of simplicity in constructing explanations (Ockham, 1974). Applied to psychology, this principal advocates for parsimony in understanding mental processes. Ockham argued that when explaining cognitive phenomena, one should prefer simpler theories that require fewer assumptions. This idea aligns with contemporary views on cognitive psychology, emphasizing the search for elegant and straightforward explanations for complex mental functions (Spade, 1999). Ockham's philosophical stance, known as nominalism, asserted that only individual entities exist, and universals are mere names or labels (Leff & Internet Archive, 1975). This nominalist perspective influenced the study of individual minds in psychology. Ockham's rejection of excessive abstraction encouraged a focus on understanding the unique aspects of individual cognitive experiences, paving the way for the later development of individual psychology and the study of subjective consciousness. Ockham's discussions on divine freedom and human agency had implications for the understanding of human behavior (Klocker, 1985). His emphasis on the autonomy of the human will be contributed to debates about free will and determinism, shaping early psychological perspectives on motivation and decision-making. Ockham's ideas on the relationship between divine and human wills laid the groundwork for future discussions on the psychology of morality and ethical decision-making. 1

William of Ockham's influence on the history of psychology is evident in his philosophical contributions, notably Ockham's Razor and his nominalist perspective. These ideas shaped the way psychologists approached the study of cognition, emphasizing simplicity and individual experiences. Additionally, Ockham's thoughts on human agency and free will contributed to the evolving discourse on motivation and ethical decision-making in psychology. By exploring Ockham's insights, we gain a deeper understanding of the historical roots that have shaped the trajectory of psychological thought. Thomas Hobbes, a prominent English philosopher of the 17th century, is renowned for his influential work in political philosophy. In his seminal work, "Leviathan," Hobbes explored the nature of social life and the formation of political communities (Hobbes, 1651). Hobbes's laws of social life, grounded in his social contract theory, offer a compelling perspective on the foundations of political order and the role of individuals within society. Examining Hobbes's ideas provides valuable insights into the principles that underpin his vision of a just and stable social structure. Hobbes's philosophy begins with the concept of the state of nature, a hypothetical scenario in which individuals exist without a governing authority. In this state, Hobbes famously characterized life as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" (Hobbes, 1651). To escape the perils of the state of nature, individuals, according to Hobbes, enter into a social contract, forming a sovereign authority to maintain order and protect against chaos. Hobbes posits that the fundamental law of nature is the right to self-preservation. In the state of nature, individuals are driven by an instinct to preserve their own lives. This law becomes the basis for Hobbes's argument for the necessity of a sovereign power to enforce and regulate social interactions (Hobbes, 1651). The social contract, according to Hobbes, is an 2

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agreement among individuals to surrender certain liberties to a sovereign authority in exchange for protection and the maintenance of order. This contractual arrangement is the cornerstone of Hobbes's political theory and serves as the foundation for organized societies. Hobbes asserts that a sovereign authority, embodied in a Leviathan-like figure, must possess absolute power to ensure the stability and security of the social contract. This authority is necessary to prevent the inherent conflicts and chaos that would arise in the absence of a strong and centralized power. Thomas Hobbes's laws of social life, grounded in the state of nature, the social contract, and the need for a sovereign authority, provide a theoretical framework for understanding the origins of political order (Hobbes, 1651). His ideas continue to influence discussions on the nature of government, individual rights, and the balance between authority and liberty. By exploring Hobbes's laws of social life, one gains insight into the philosophical foundations that have shaped political thought and governance. The Romantic Revolt, a cultural and intellectual movement that emerged in the late 18th century, represented a significant departure from the rationalism of the Enlightenment. This movement, characterized by a focus on emotion, individualism, and the sublime, had profound effects on various disciplines, including psychology. Understanding the Romantic Revolt provides insights into the shifts in perspectives on human nature and consciousness during this transformative period. The Romantic Revolt challenged the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and objectivity, advocating for a greater recognition of subjectivity and personal experience. This shift had a profound impact on psychology, influencing the development of introspection as a method to explore and understand individual thoughts and emotions (Schacter, Gilbert, & Wegner, 2011). Romantic thinkers delved into the mysteries of the unconscious mind, anticipating later 3

developments in psychoanalysis. The emphasis on dreams, symbolism, and the irrational aspects of human behavior during the Romantic period laid the groundwork for Freudian psychoanalysis in the 20th century (Taylor, 2023). Romanticism celebrated nature as a source of inspiration and a reflection of the individual's inner emotional life. This view influenced early environmental psychology, which explores the interplay between individuals and their physical surroundings (Gifford, 2007). Romanticism celebrated the uniqueness and authenticity of the individual, rejecting the uniformity emphasized by Enlightenment ideals. This focus on individualism resonated with later existentialist and humanistic perspectives in psychology, which underscored the importance of personal agency and subjective experience (Kierkegaard, 1843; Maslow, 1954). The Romantic Revolt, with its emphasis on emotion, subjectivity, and individualism, had a lasting impact on the field of psychology. By challenging Enlightenment rationalism, Romantic thinkers paved the way for the exploration of the inner workings of the human mind and the recognition of the profound influence of emotions on human behavior. The echoes of the Romantic Revolt resonate in diverse psychological theories, methodologies, and perspectives, shaping the understanding of the human experience. 4

References Corral-Verdugo, V., Lomeli-Gonzalez, D., Rascon-Cruz, M., & Corral-Frias, V. (n.d.). Gifford, R. (2007). Environmental Psychology Principles and Practice (4th ed.). Colville, WA Optimal Books. - References - Scientific Research Publishing . Www.scirp.org. https://www.scirp.org/(S(351jmbntvnsjt1aadkozje))/reference/referencespapers.aspx? referenceid=1755437 Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan . Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3207/3207-h/3207- h.htm Hobbes: A Very Short Introduction . (2002, August 29). https://global.oup.com/academic/product/hobbes-a-very-short-introduction-9780192802552? cc=ca&lang=en& Kierkegaard, S. (1843, February 20). Either/Or: A Fragment of Life . Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/24970 Klocker, H. R. (1985). OCKHAM AND THE DIVINE FREEDOM. Franciscan Studies , 45 , 245–261. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41975056 Leff, G., & Internet Archive. (1975). William of Ockham : the metamorphosis of scholastic discourse. In Internet Archive . Manchester : Manchester University Press ; Totowa, N.J. : Rowman and Littlefield. https://archive.org/details/williamofockhamm0000leff Maslow, A. H. (2017). Maslow, A. H. (1954). Motivation and Personality. New York, NY Harper & Row Publishers. - References - Scientific Research Publishing . Scirp.org. https://www.scirp.org/(S(351jmbntvnsjt1aadkposzje))/reference/ReferencesPapers.aspx? ReferenceID=1983768 5

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Ockham, W. (n.d.). W. OF OCKHAM - Michael J. Loux - Summa Logicae - Theory of Terms I - University of Notre Dame Press (1975) PDF | PDF | Substance Theory | Proposition . Scribd. Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://www.scribd.com/document/430765528/W-OF- OCKHAM-Michael-J-Loux-Summa-Logicae-Theory-of-Terms-I-University-of-Notre-Dame- Press-1975-pdf Schacter, D. L., T, G. D., & M, W. D. (2011). Psychology (2nd Edition) . Harvard.edu; Worth. https://scholar.harvard.edu/dschacter/publications/psychology-2nd-edition Skinner, Q. (1996, February 1). Reason and Rhetoric in the Philosophy of Hobbes . Cambridge Core. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/reason-and-rhetoric-in-the-philosophy-of-hobbes/ 9D44D65506F0F946853C253E4BB01BFA# Taylor, C. (2023). A Secular Age — Harvard University Press . Harvard University Press. https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674026766 The Cambridge Companion to Ockham. (1999). In P. V. Spade (Ed.), Cambridge University Press . Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-companion-to- ockham/5B7FF029FDE96FE804A1FF44B9D7413E 6