As existentialism took root in contemporary thinking, its postulations regarding human nature were reflected upon and adopted by some psychologists. The next section of the paper discusses the impact of existential philosophy on psychology as well as the adaptation of this philosophy to the discipline.
Existential Philosophy and Existential Psychology
Wong (2003) notes that while interest in existential philosophy has dwindled over the years, it has profoundly influenced psychological thought, leading to an alternative view of human nature and human behavior which is now termed "existential psychology." Van Kaam (1984) refers to existential psychology as a synthesis of philosophy and psychology, noting that it was not only influenced by Sartre but also by the phenomenological frameworks of Kierkegaard and Heidegger.
According to Van Kaam (1984), the core theory of existential psychology is that a person inherently strives for "authentic being" where being refers to the component of human cognition that allows for deci
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