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Cartesianism

n. the system of philosophy developed by René Descartes. The three fundamental tenets of the system are (a) that all knowledge forms a unity; (b) that the purpose of knowledge is to provide humankind with the means of mastery over the natural world; and (c) that all knowledge must be built up from a foundation of indubitable first principles, the truth of which can be known intuitively (see innate ideas). Many ideas and assumptions influential in psychology can be traced back to Descartes, including the notion of a rational self capable of knowing truth, the contention that the most trustworthy knowledge is of the contents of one’s own mind, and the idea that the deductive methods that have been successful in producing certainty in mathematics can be applied to produce equally valid knowledge in other fields of human endeavor. Of particular importance to the development of psychology are Descartes’ understanding of the ego (see Cartesian self) and his attempt to explain the relation of the mind to the body (see Cartesian dualism). See also modernism; rationalism. —Cartesian adj.

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Psychology term of the day

December 18th 2024

rebirthing

rebirthing

n.

1. the therapeutic use of continuous, focused breathing and reflection, initially under the guidance of a rebirthing practitioner (a rebirther), to release tension, stress, and intense emotions and attain a state of deep peace and total relaxation that leads to personal growth and positive changes in health, consciousness, and self-esteem (i.e., a personal and spiritual “rebirth”). This type of therapy is increasingly being termed breathwork or rebirthing breathwork. [developed in the 1970s by California-based New Age guru Leonard Orr (1937–  )]

2. a highly controversial form of therapy, now largely discredited (both scientifically and ethically), in which an individual attempts to reexperience being born (e.g., through hypnotic age regression) in order to resolve supposed pre- and perinatal conflicts and emotions and to develop a new attitude about life.