Psychiatry and transcendence

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Mind
• Psychiatry
• Theology

Background:

• The historical relationship between psychiatry and religion has lacked a unified philosophical view of the human person.
• Psychiatry has often overlooked or avoided the spiritual dimension of human existence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a Catholic philosophical perspective on the human person.
• To highlight the attribute of transcendence within this perspective.
• To integrate the concept of spiritual life into the understanding of the person, addressing a gap in psychiatric discourse.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis from a Catholic theological standpoint.
• Review of existing literature on the intersection of psychiatry, religion, and philosophy of the person.
• Conceptual integration of transcendence and spiritual life within a psychiatric framework.

Main Results:

• A proposed philosophical view of the human person emphasizing inherent transcendence.
• An argument for the inclusion of spiritual life as a valid and important aspect of human reality.
• A framework for understanding the person that reconciles psychiatric and religious/spiritual dimensions.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive philosophical view of the human person, incorporating transcendence and spiritual life, can enrich the dialogue between psychiatry and religion.
• Acknowledging and integrating the spiritual dimension offers a more holistic approach to mental health and well-being.
• The Catholic perspective provides a valuable foundation for a more integrated understanding of the human person in psychiatric practice.