PSILOSOPHY AS A ROOT TO PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology did not emerge as a separate discipline until the late 1800s, its earliest
history can be traced back to the time of the ancient civilizations. Philosophical interest in
the mind and behavior dates back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, China and
India. Many cultures throughout history have speculated on the nature of the mind, soul,
spirit, etc. For instance, in Ancient Egypt, the Edwin Smith Papyrus contains an early
description of the brain, and some speculations on its functions. Ancient Greek
philosophers, from Thales to Plato, Pythagoras and Aristotle developed an elaborate
theory of what they termed the “psyche” as well as other psychological terms.
Some have claimed that the first psychological experiment had been the one of
Lin Xe, a test of ability in 6th century AD. The first institutions recognizable as insane
asylums were built in the medieval Islamic world in the 8th century: in Baghdad, Fes,
Cairo, Damascus and Aleppo. Medieval Muslim physicians also developed practices to
treat patients suffering from a variety of "diseases of the mind”.
The first use of the term "psychology" is often attributed to the German scholastic
philosopher Rudolf Göckel (1547–1628, often known under the Latin form Rudolph
Goclenius), who published the Psychologia hoc est de hominis perfectione, anima, ortu
in Marburg in 1590.The modern philosophical form of psychology was heavily
influenced by the works of Réne Descartes and the debates he generated. Psychology as a
self-conscious field of experimental study began in 1879, when Wilhelm Wundt founded
the first laboratory dedicated exclusively to psychological research in Leipzig. Other
important early contributors to the field include Hermann Ebbinghaus (a pioneer in the
study of memory), William James (the American father of pragmatism), and Ivan
Pavlov.Soon after the development of experimental psychology, various kinds of applied
psychology appeared.

Today, the majority of psychologists do not identify themselves with a single

school of thought. Instead, they often focus on a particular specialty area or perspective,
often drawing on ideas from a range of theoretical backgrounds. This eclectic approach
has contributed new ideas and theories that will continue to shape psychology for years to
come.

Bibliography:
 www.psychology.about.com
 www.en.wikipedia.org