Defense Against Critiques Of Positive Psychology
Journal Title: IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science - Year 2018, Vol 23, Issue 1
Abstract
Individuals and the community in which we all live in have strengths that enable them to thrive well. The study of this occurrence is what is called Positive Psychology. This tenet posits that individuals want to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives and cultivate the best character so as to enrich their play, love and work experiences as postulated by Martin Seligman in the fields of optimism, resilience, pessimism, learned helplessness and depression (Cieslik, M. (2017). According to critics, this positive psychology new science seems to be established on a thread of arguments that are fallacious, tautology, vagueness in defining or applying terms correctly, reasoning that is circular, positing non-existing causal relationships and generalizations that are not justified (Butler-Bowdon, 2007). The view of this paper is that the new science demonstrates that peoples positive attitudes define success, happiness and achievement and not just associating the health of the mind with a distinct type of personality; a status-searching extravert who is objective-oriented, outgoing and cheerful. According to Butler-Bowdon, Positive psychology presents too easy and simply naïve answers to questions that have existed since time immemorial regarding life’s meaning and the ways to fulfilling a worth life that many term as good living. Positive psychology is in essence a self-help that has been repacked, refurbished and branded a science that is well thought-of (Butler-Bowdon, 2007). A clear line divides happiness as a self-gratifying hunt for pleasure and happiness clothed as a good life chase whereby the meaning and realization are a result of impulses and desires immediately transcending which cultivate good morals and a struggle for an ideal of the correct human definition. Happiness is never a lofty achievement but an entitlement and this is stamped by the wisdom of ages of philosophy and religion as backed by the positive psychology tenet (Banda Pilot Site, 2007).
Authors and Affiliations
gladys Kerubo Ragira, Dr. Rispah N. Wepukhulu
Keywords
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