Does it Work? - Josh Naqvi

     Seligman's speech was exceptional. I agree with him that psychology can be much more than treatment for the mentally ill. It can help expand the mind and as a result, the life of anyone.  Seligman dubs this concept, positive psychology. Positive psychology concentrates on building the individual. He called this the "roots" of psychology.  Sounds like philosophy if you ask me. Yes, I am going to ride that train today. Psychology needs philosophy just as much as it needs science. Science can analyze, observe, and create solutions. Philosophy on the other hand, asks the questions of why something needs to be addressed and why something is the way it is to begin with. 

    Family is one area that was addressed in the speech.  The questions of how arise in positive psychology. How should one raise a family? How can one become the best spouse, parent, sibling, or person? Philosophy asks and science aims to conclude. Positive psychology aims to be the bridge between the two. Does it work? Seligman thought it would revolutionize the structure of the world at large. It would end violence, feuds, racism, and anything else that is destructive behavior. Years later, there is no difference. In fact, in many ways it is worse. Positive psychology does not work. at least not to the global effect Seligman hoped it would. After all, humans wanting to better themselves is not a new concept. Humans failing to do so is also not a new concept. Can it help, yes absolutely it can. However, it is not an antidote but merely another philosophical branch. The reason for this is because of a timeless philosophical topic, freewill. People can and always will choose either good or bad. Sadly, they usually choose bad.  All the education, psychology, and conditioning positive psychology has to offer is useless, unless someone chooses to use it. People have this choice. As stated earlier it can be a great tool, but it will never be the salvation of humanity. Seligman's passion is admirable and a noble idea to be sure, but it is a cause that will constantly fall short of its end goal. 

I commented on Raygan Boster  and Emmett Bryant 

Comments

  1. Raygan BosterApril 4, 2022 at 2:02 PM

    I really agree with what you said about choosing to use the knowledge. People say you can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. I see that it is exceptionally true every day. People will ask for advice and then do the exact opposite or continue in what they were doing. Unless they use the help and knowledge they have received, it really is for nothing.

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  2. Emily OttsApril 4, 2022 at 10:41 PM

    I agree that people will often choose the bad instead of bettering themselves with positive psychology. If one were to use positive psychology to better themselves, they would need incredible discipline to do so. It would be great if everyone could do that, and we would not have many of the issues Seligman mentions would be gone. Unfortunately, we do not live in such an ideal world.

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