Exploring the Depths of Human Existence: Philosophy and Psychology

In the modern world, questions about the essence of the human being force us to look within ourselves and reconsider the concept of existence. Philosophy does not treat a human being as merely a collection of objective characteristics, but rather as a complex, spiritual creature in which truth lies within subjective experience, inner development, and the ethical search for meaning. This approach helps us see that the true nature of a human being is shaped not only through external manifestations but, above all, through the inner world and spirit that give life depth and integrity. At the same time, the scientific view, particularly in psychology, tends to analyze objective aspects: the physical, biological, and social components of human existence. Yet it is precisely the synthesis of these approaches—the poetic depth of philosophy with the rigorous methodology of science—that allows us to better understand the diversity of human experience and find an emotional and intellectual balance in the search for the true meaning of life.

What is the difference between psychology and philosophy in understanding the human being and his existence?

Philosophy, in its understanding of the human being and his existence, views him primarily as a whole, whose foundation lies in the spirit rather than merely as a set of objective characteristics that can be studied. Philosophical cognition of man is built on considering him as a subject through whom the meaning of existence is revealed. Thus, philosophy emphasizes inner experience, spiritual development, and the integrity of personality, whereas psychology, as a scientific discipline, is inclined to study human beings from the perspective of external, objectifiable characteristics—biological, social, and behavioral.

As stated, “the main distinguishing feature that differentiates philosophical cognition from scientific is that philosophy understands being from within man and through man, sees in man the key to the meaning, whereas science studies being as if outside of man, detached from him. Therefore, for philosophy being is spirit, while for science being is nature” (source: 1248_6236.txt). This statement shows that the philosophical approach implies a deep immersion into the nature of the human spirit and the search for the meaning of life in subjective experience, while the scientific (and in particular psychological) approach regards the human being as an object of study.

Additionally, it is noted that “philosophical anthropology… is fundamentally different from the scientific—biological, sociological, psychological—study of human beings. And this difference lies in the fact that philosophy investigates man from within man and in man, examining him as belonging to the realm of spirit, whereas science investigates man as belonging to the realm of nature, i.e. outside of man, as an object” (source: 1248_6236.txt). This further emphasizes that the philosophical view of the human being is built on the idea of his inner subjectivity and cannot be reduced to an analysis of external, physically observable aspects.

Thus, the main difference is that philosophy focuses on the spiritual, ethical, and existential dimensions of human existence, emphasizing inner experience and the integrity of personality, whereas psychology approaches the study of human beings from the stance of objective analysis, viewing them as an object subject to detailed investigation of their physical and behavioral characteristics.