History of Existential Psychology

The first in a two-part set, this book takes a deep dive into the history and theory of existential psychology. Beginning with a discussion of the “existentialism and psychology problem,” the book presents the philosophical and historical roots of existential psychology. It introduces the most important philosophical schools in the development of existentialism and their creators, such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger and Sartre, as well as the literary roots of existentialism in the writings of Dostoevsky and Kafka and the important contribution of psychoanalysis and phenomenological psychiatry. The book then goes on to look at the existential psychology schools, including daseinsanalysis, logotherapy and existential analysis, the existential-humanistic school and the existential-phenomenological school. Going beyond the questions of therapy and counseling that typically make up the study of existential psychology, the book offers the ultimate introduction for students and scholars of this fascinating and deeply rooted discipline. It may also interest professionals working in related fields.