What is Truth? Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy

Material Epistemology does aid in the knowledge of the Authentic Self insofar as the intellect can allow. Psychology, Sociology, And Philosophy, as disciplines of observation and, therefore, can move one toward a better understanding and knowing oneself. They are essential, therefore, in the pursuit of human understanding and cannot be discounted as valuable by a believer even if the practitioners of these disciplines reject any notion of the transcendent. Christian Sacramentality can look at these disciplines as True, in a material sense, but, more importantly, they are Sacramental in an objective sense.

Holy Family Shrine in Gretna, Nebraska. The Paschal Mystery is evidence of the relationship between Heaven and Earth. The Cross is not just an instrument of death; the Cross reveals our Hope for eternity. Ave Crux Spes Unica (P. Smith)

Psychology

All psychology is aimed at the mental health of the individual. The ultimate end of psychology, I teach my students, is to help the individual learn more about themselves and in that knowledge, to experience greater levels of happiness in one’s life. The study of the human psyche allows for a deeper understanding of who an individual is and why they may behave a certain way. I focus mostly on Freudian Psychology with my students, mostly because of cross-curricular reasons; other classes will discuss the same topics and it helps students to see the interconnectedness of disciplines. Freudian Psychology employs practices of psychoanalysis for the purpose of identifying reasons why an individual behaves in a certain manner, and when those reasons are ascertained, the business of correcting or modifying certain behavior is employed, all for the sake of self-knowledge and of creating a disposition wherein the individual may experience healthier relationships with the self and with others. The ultimate goal, then, is healthy relationships for the sake of Peace and harmony in one’s life. I stress the word “relationship” when I am talking about this with my students. If the transcendent Authentic Self is characterized by a drive toward relationship, as the image and likeness of God is, in part, relationship, then the fact that Freudian Psychology, and really any psychology, orients us toward better relationships with self and others, then psychology can be considered Sacramental as it is a sign pointing to what Christian Anthropology says our Authentic Self is. This is the theme I keep as I continue teaching about psychology; the actual structure of Freud’s consciousness and personality suggests an ordered system directed toward relationship.

St. Rose Philippine Duschesne: "The Woman Who us always Praying". She was known for her deep, Loving relationships with orphans, women, and the Potawatomi. (P. Smith)

Freud is relatively easy to teach. My students appreciate the more material topics in class because they are easier to grasp and apply in everyday life. But I continually stress how each lesson I give describes an apparent material trajectory toward a transcendent Truth of who we really are.