Free Will vs. Determinism in Philosophical Counselling
Part 1: Theories of Counselling
Cohen (2000) approaches determinism on the premise that all behavior has a force that drives it, and it can, therefore, be predicted. He asserts that free will is just an illusion, and human behavior can be prompted or governed by either internal or external forces over which they can control. This section reviews the concept of free will and determinism in humanistic counseling and elaborates on the extent to which human behavior is the outcome of forces over which they have not to control or whether an individual is able to decide for himself/herself whether to behave or act in a particular way. Cohen (2000), in chapter 11, cites three theories that can be employed in professional counseling, which include the rationale emotive behavior theory, person-centered theory, and transactional analysis theory.
Transactional analysis theory gives an optimistic approach to counseling concerning human nature. Ti entails four primary areas of predicting and understanding human behavior, including structural analysis, game analysis, transactional analysis, and script analysis. It perceives humans as having the ability to cultivate new positive behaviors and goals. Rational emotive behavior theory, REBT, on the other hand, proposes that events in themselves are neither good or bad. Therefore an individual’s feelings cannot be directly related to a particular event. This approach utilizes the ABC theory with the core assumptions that people are born with mental traits of both irrational and rational thinking, and they can think either positively or negatively. It contends that people can change their faulty thinking patterns for self-development and productive thoughts. Also, REBT assumes that blame is the core course of most emotional illnesses and disturbances. Lastly, the person-centered theory perceives human beings as essentially good, trustworthy, positive, realistic, forward-moving, and self-directed. The theory postulates that human beings can perceive reality and not dictated by outside events.
Strengths of the three approaches
REBT can be an extremely useful approach to psychotherapy, especially when used in combination with medication, because it deals with either an individual allowing him to strongly get involved in the process of therapy. It is a multifunctional therapy and can, therefore, be applied to several psychological disorders as well as other factors such as emotions, behaviors, and attitudes. With regards to the school of thought, person-centered, transactional analysis, person-centered, and REBT utilizes the humanistic school, psychodynamic school, and behavioral school, which are impactful in the psychotherapy. Transactional analysis theory encompasses moral principles that facilitate the integration of an individual with the social environment. It establishes favorable conditions for the secure and natural development of a child. Also, it respects both social values and norms.