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

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 (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