Positive Psychology and the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality in Historical Perspective

Abstract

The fields of positive psychology (PP) and the psychology of religion/spirituality (PRS) have much in common, both in terms of their areas of interest and the presuppositions they bring to their work. For example, PP and PRS are both rooted in the philosophies of positivism (which assumes all knowledge must be empirically verified using the scientific method) and naturalism (which assumes there are no realities beyond the natural, material world). Both PP and PRS have much to offer society and the scientific community, but their historic roots in positivistic naturalism currently limit this potential, both in terms of concepts and methods. In this chapter, we argue that for PP and the PRS to coevolve and flourish, they must transcend their perhaps often unaware-but staunch-commitment to positivistic naturalism. In particular, the fields of PP and PRS need to draw inclusively and meaningfully from the methodological, conceptual, and experiential insights of philosophical and religious traditions. Doing so will help PP and PRS broaden the scope of what they each consider meaningful, possible, desirable, and transformative. Ironically, a greater appreciation of the past will enable both fields to have greater scientific, societal, and practical impact in the future.