Review article
https://doi.org/10.21860/j.16.1.7
Psycho-therapeutic effect of change in perspective
Ante Periša
; Department of Philosophy / Department of Croatian Studies, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
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* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Today, Western man has become a prisoner of a single worldview, of the one (too) narrow (reductionist?) view of oneself, of one’s life, work, life goals, meaning... Consequently, many of today’s psycho(-physical) problems seem to be caused precisely by this, because being trapped in a narrow (for example, strictly materialistic) worldview easily leads to a certain sense of disorientation, nihilism, being lost, afraid, without footing and safety... even in everyday life, but especially when we encounter difficult existential situations. Some of these problems are manifested through a large increase in the so-called “specific human diseases”, such as certain types of cancer, atherosclerosis, digestive diseases, etc. Of course, all of this was present before, but in recent times it has greatly increased. The total rejection of tradition is one of the main causes of this, according to Viktor Frankl, as well as many other philosophers, anthropologists and psychologists. Namely, man is an unfinished and free being, which constantly has to “create”, or shape and form oneself. But in view of the loss of traditions and clear orientations, this suddenly becomes too difficult a task in which man easily gets lost, which, as a result, gives rise to the problems mentioned above. Therefore, the introduction of some new, well-designed images and deep concepts into our lives seems to be the best kind of therapy.
Keywords
existential philosophy; psychotherapy; worldview; cognitive metaphor
Hrčak ID:
344170
URI
Publication date:
6.2.2026.
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