Evolution of the modern psychology

Evolution of the modern psychology

            Psychology plays a very critical role in making individuals believe in particular ideas or perceptions. In light of this, many philosophers came up with different theories that attempts to convince the masses about various concerns and beliefs in the societies. Some of the major concerns in the society include the formation of the earth and all that it contains and the relationship between the other objects and the people. Also, it is a concern among people about the existence of God and whether humans are immortal or the concern of life after death. While examining theories from various philosophers including Democritus, Aristotle, Plato, Protagoras, Achilles and Socrates among others, this paper suggests that psychology has evolved through the years to its current state (Smith, 2000). Notably, the philosophers agreed that “man is the measure of everything else” and that individuals have the ability to defend their arguments or ideas.

As such, the evolution of the modern psychology takes in to account of various great theories including the Democritus’ atomic theory and theory of knowledge, the Aristotle’s powrer of reasoning and the Protagoras’ concept of personal judgement and belief or human is the measure of everything. Although some philosophers such as Plato believed in God and Life after death, this paper establishes that most of the philosopers including Protagoras, Socrates and Achiles argued that there is neither God nor life after death. Therefore, it is clear that the primary aim of the philosophers was to use wisdom and knowledge or power of reasoning and rhetoric to convince the people that human mind is independent of everthing else and thus can accept new ideas and believe in them. As great teachers, Philosopehers like Protagoras and Socrates therefore conviced their students about the inexistence of God, supernatural being or life after death.

The Atomic concept and earth’s formation

One of the most influential philosophers through the evolution of psychology is Democritus mainly because the atomic theory. With the atomic theory, Democritus aimed at challenging the people who believed in the impossibility of the world and everything that it hosts can come from nothing. most of the people held that something physical created the world including all the features. Acording to Blades & Richard (2015) the Democritus concept contradicted the beliefs and ideas by Parmenides. Firstly, the theory claimed that small and invisible microorganisms joined together in a vaccum while in motion to form a physical element. While expounding on the atomic power, Democritus endeavored to prove the paradox on how unseen and undefined particles can create tangible objects.

Traditionally, people believed that a supernatural being or “God” created the world and its contents. therefore, the emergence of new knowledge of the formation of the world from atoms was a contradicting information. Although the Democritus theory contravened itself while claiming that nothing existed but on the other hand stating that physical elements formed out of atoms, the concept introduced new way of looking at the world’s creation. While people believed I the soul and life, Democritus eagerly demonstrated the formation of humans through fire atoms.  in this regard, the philosopher believed that fire atoms made human’s life as souls. As demonstrated by Blades & Richard (2015), Democritus believed on the fire atoms premising on the idea that heat and life run together. In his claim, Democritus states that it is only because the atoms are ever in motion that the soul keeps people in action.

In the light that souls are products of fire atoms, Democritus higly disagreed with the claims of life after death. He asserted that atoms are never in motion after death and thus are not able to make another physical feature. Nonetheless, this theory failed to create a clear distinction of the association between atomis forming humans and the atoms that make other objects. Nonetheless, the philosopher deduced that various invisible atoms are ever in motion while joining to form different large features and worlds in the atmosphere. Regardless of the number of people who believed on the Democritus claims, he introduced some contravening forces even in those people who could not fully agree with the theory. At this stage therefore, the psychology changed the perceptions and beliefs of considerable number of people.

The discovery and influence of the theory of knowledge

While advancing his atomic theory, Democritus introduced the theory of knowledge, which significantly conviced considerable pupolation on certain claims. The knowledge theory aimed at demonstrating the link between the atoms and the sensation attachments. According to Barnes Jonathan (2012), the knowledge theory attemted to demonstrate how human’s sensory organs reacted to the different atoms that the objects from the surrounding emitted. With this theory, Democitus claimed that people’s sensory organs responded to various pictures or images drawn in the minds while making individuals to believe that  they exist. in addition, the knowledge theory expounds on the distinction of the emitted atoms for the differentiation of various characteristics of the emiting objects. for example, the theory explicated that the atoms emitted determined if the object is sweet or bitter as well as the color of the object.

Accoding to the theory of knowledge, different geographical locations determines the colors of various objects with the formation of different objects as atoms come together based on the location of the atoms (Balme & David, 2011). For example, according to Democritus uneven and white colors are products of flat and sommoth atoms while even and black colors are products of rough atoms. Of significance, the knowledge theory demonstrates how individuals were made to believe on the existence of God. The concept suggests that an image of a large and atomic creature formed while becoming superior to other objects. Using this theory, Democritus further disagreed with the existence of gods and immortality of humans.

The influence of reasoning

With reference to the knowledge theory, Aristotle encouraged arguments with no consideration of topic or content. As the first among all people including the philosopher to practice the “power of reasoning,” people nicknamed Aristotle as the “Father of Logic.” Barnes & Jonathan (2012) assert that Aristotle held that a person can use any arguable idea to make people believe in its conclusions. while backing the knowledge theory, Aristotle argued that individuals are made to believe that they are mortal and thus had no otherwise apart from believing as such. Notably, peope are made to have a belief on anything while having a credible argument.

Interestingly, Aristotle used his cognitive power in believing that scientific methodologies can highly convince persons to accept them as true mainly because they have well-argued evidences drawn from conclusions from various scientists.  The most important aspect is that the Aristotle’s concept endeavors to explain the association between the psychological factors of the mind as soul. According to Aristotle, the soul outwardly expresses the body’s inside expressions. In addition, he argues that although te mind and soul work together, they do not have any psychological effects. However, environmental factors influences the operatons of the soul. Balme & David (2011) assert that from the Aristotle’s standpoint, the latter is all about what individuals belief on the proportion of changes that the environmental factors influence the changes in human’s soul. In light of this, the cognitive power theory aims to prove that psychological conditions do not affect the operations of the soul. As such, Aristotle creates a distinction between the opinions on souls and the reasoning perception.

The psychology and existence of God

As highlighted above, Aristotle rejected some ideas from other philosophers including Plato and Democritus. One of the major contentions is the belief of God’s existence. according to Democritus, supernatural and immortal beings do not exist (Blades & Richard, 2015). However, Aristotle argued that psychology does not influence the operations of the soul and that God exist. Besides, Aristotle disagreed with Plato theory that attempted to prove that particular properties of matter including colors made people believe on their appearance (Smith, 2000). The primary idea behind the Aristotle’s argument was to prove that objects acted independently from the properties defining them.  in this regard, Aristotle introduced the artistic concept and its influence on creating impressions on the minds of the people regarding the appearance of certain objects.

Concerning his concept of art, Aristotle believed that art was the most suitable strategy to draw the true concept of objects because the strategy demonstrated the realism on human senses as opposed to other objects. As mentioned above, Aristotle did not only disagree with most of the philosophers about the existence of God but also claimed that there is another life after the current life claiming that he lives and have eternal life.

Aristotle’s pyschology and politics

As a master of logic, Aristotle developed various theories that attracted the players in the political field. Notably, the knowledge theory involves ensuring that the people believe that the argument that one makes is true (Cartledge & Paul, 2017). It is apparent that most of the politicians use this concept to win the hearts of the electorates by letting them believe that the pledges they make are not only claims but achievable. according to Aristotle, rhetoric modes including ethos, pathos and logos play critical role in ensuring that the politicians convince or persuade the voters to vote them in various offices against their rivals. Aristotle,s theory proves that conviction and persuations makes individuals believe that the sentiments pronounced by the political class is true.

From this perspective, it is clear that psychology has made considerable milestones in making individuals believe in certain ideas. As demonstrated by the reasoning power and knowledge theries, individuals can develop any form of idea and package it in an arguable form that which when well-defended can influence others by depicting the truth in it. Typically, the idea behind the psychology is understanding the audience and the idea that one is about to sell to the particular audience. In light of this, packaging an idea or concept mainly with facts or defendable arguments can easy change the perceptions of the people towards a new direction.

Man as the scale of everything

Despite disagrements in God’s existence and the mortal aspect of humans, both Aristotle and Democritus depicts that humans can effectively craft an idea and sell to other people with great success. In the same accord, Protagoras, an Athen and a great philosopher argued that people belief in what they perceive to be good or be done. Notably, Protagoras is famous for his assertion that “man is the measure of all things.” As such, Protagoras joined Democritus in the philosophy that there is no existence of supernatural being or God. Protagoras theory explicated two critical elements. Firstly, the theory explicates the appearance of things and why people must believe that things should appear in that manner.  Secondly, the theory establishes what humans do not believe in and the evidence showing that it does not exist and what it is. Thus, the theory explicates the human perceptions on the appearance of things and the convincing powers concerning the perceptions.

According to Balme & David (2011), Protagoras held that human minds are not only independent but they are easy to divert and make them believe in different idea or things. For example, despite the fact that people have the believe in God historically, Protagoras believed that God does not exist and that humans live ones thus no other expected life when one dies. In his argument, Protagoras stated that no single human was able to measure whether God existed or not. Actually, Protagoras claimed that people should not demand other facts on inexistence of God but the short life of humans should be enough for people to understand that there is no God. Protagoras claims that people were only made to believe that there is God but there is no substanbtial proofs to the belief.

Using psychology to change people’s beleifs and perceptions

Noting that Protagoras was an educated and prominent scholar, he ensured that other people changed their beliefs and perceptons on various issues including the existence of God,  the life to come and other societal concerns. Majorly, Protagoras sold his thoughts to the adolescents while making sure that they only believe in the physical objects. One of the most important aspect of the Protagoras theory was to enhance the freedom among the people to think and reason concerning what was good for them. In this regard, the Protagoras concept gave people the power to not only make judgments on false or true but also to choose on what to believe in. For this reason, many people particularly other philosophers discredited Protagoras while claiming that the theory gave powers to people to justify their wrongdoings. With this theory, many people could knowingly commit crimes and justify while satisfying their interests. The research by Barnes & Jonathan (2012) shows that some philosophers including Plato discredited Protagoras’ concept citing that it was self-centered and unrealistic.

However, because Protagoras was an educator, he tought his students about the power of reasoning on belief and perceptions. As mentioned above, the most important aspect of psychology is understanding the audience. In light of this, Protagoras understood his students and thus toaught the students different strategies and approaches for defending themselves on all undertakings by giving proofs on why their actions are not only right but also acceptable. It is noteworthy that the underpinning grounds for the Protagoras theory were personal judgment, individual intelligence and experience. Although the theory attracted considerable opposition, it had some concepts similar to Aristotle’s concept in that people had the power to view and judge objects in their surrounding. Based on the Protagoras concept, therefore, individuals have the power to do anything as long as they find it suitable for them. While personal judgment and personal defense are the core ideas behind the Protagoras theory, various philosophers claim that the latter would create a corrupt society.  Conversely, the theory give people the powers to resist from doing what they thought was not right.

Combining the knowledge theory and the Protagoras concepts, Achilles, a historically prominent greek poer and worrior, decided to use his wisdom and conviction as well as power to reason, judge and defend in his mission to change people’s beliefs in addition to turning their perceptions on different circumstances. Notably, Achilles is famously known and feared for his continuous success in the battlefield as he never lost in the battle. Achilles won the historic Trojan war. In all the battles, Achilles used his ideas to confuse people using poems that targeted the politicians. While being an educated poet, Achilles increasingly created poems that aroused emotions among the politicians and other people. As such, most of the people became ready for fights but Achilles won all of them with ease.

Actually, Achilles only convinced the people using reasons for the battle while provoking fighters from various territories. Achilles main idea was to prove that people believed on anthing as long as the protagonist provided valid arguments. Achilles is regarded as the “epitome of success.” Like most of the philosophers, Achilles also believed that God does not exist and that the idea is just a creation without proof.

Just like the most of the philosophers, Socrates and Plato believed in the power of knowledge and reason in manipulating people’s beliefs. Notably, both the philosophers were prominent teachers who believed that knowledge wdetermined everything in life and that is essential in manipulating others (Cartledge & Paul, 2017). In addition, the two philosophers agreed with the Protagoras concepts. However, the two disagreed on matters regarding the existence of God. While Plato joined Aristotle in the belief that God exists and there is life to come, Socrates joined other philosophers who denied the existence of God. Like Protagoras, Socrates taught his students on the different ways to defend their opinions as well as to believe in only what they thought was right.

Conclusion

it is apparent that philosophers agreed on the power of knowledge, reason and judgment. in addition, philosophers used this power of reason to manipulate people away from their original beliefs while showing them how to defend their ideas. Athough most of the philosophers did not believe in the existence of susupernatural being, God or the life after death, philosophers like Plato held that God exists and that there is another life after the earthly life. One of the m,ost significant point is that although these philosophers provided different proofs and scientific facts around their theories, often the theories contradicted themselves and hence introducing challenges in their concepts.

References

Balme, S. & David, W. (2011). ‘Greek Science and Mechanism II. The Atomists,’ Classical Quarterly, 35: 23–8.

Barnes, B. & Jonathan, S. (2012). The Presocratic Philosophers, rev. Ed., London, and New York: Routledge.

Blades, P. & Richard W., (2015). ‘Democritus on Visual Perception: Two Theories or One?,’ Phronesis, 20: 93–105.

Cartledge, S. & Paul, M. (2017). Democritus (The Great Philosophers), London: Routledge.

Smith, N. D. (2000). Plato on Knowledge as a Power. Journal of the History of Philosophy, 38(2), 145-168.