THE FIFTH FORCE OF PSYCHOLOGY: NAFS PSYCHOLOGY

Authors : Mustafa ATAK

Pages : 65-83

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Publication Date : 2023-04-30

Article Type : Other Papers

Abstract :Modern psychology approaches have considered human beings to be composed of the nafs al-ammarah which is charactarterized as basement floor within the levels of nafs, and they have developed a hedonist understanding, thinking that human happiness can be achieved by doing things that satisfy the nafs al-ammarah and give pleasure. The goals of self-actualization and self-transcendence have been shaped within the framework of this hedonist understanding, so psychological approaches that cannot connect with the immanence have narrowed one\`s horizons by remaining in the level of the nafs al-ammarah. In the psychology of the nafs, it is stated that the freedom and happiness of human begins with getting free from shackles of the nafs al-ammarah and going beyond material pleasures. A person, who gets rid of the negative effects of material structure and rational mind with the continued rise in the levels of the nafs, will reach the state of psychological well-being with the rituals such as dhikr, contemplation insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(tafakkur);, prayer, voluntary worship and altruistic existence which is expressed as helping or doing good for expecting nothing in return.
Keywords : nafs, nafs al ammarah, self actualization, self transcendence