ENGLISH: Illuminating Human Psyche: A Comparative Analysis of Similarities in Ghazalian Theory of Soul and Freudian Psychoanalysis

Abstract

There have been several theories in the Western world, highlighting various features of human mind, but none of them seems to present the whole truth. The richness and diverse outlook of human experience makes it imperative to look for a model, which contributes in better and all-encompassing understanding of human nature. The present study intends to provide the venue to the spiritual insights of Ghazalian thought to be incorporated into the study of Freudian psychoanalysis, with its central focus on the similarities between them. Besides the current study proceeds from the assumption that though Freudian psychonalytic theory has provided insightful psychological interpretations, equally appropriate readings result from analyzing Ghazalian theory of soul. This study follows the descriptive and analytic methodology to investigate the similarities in both the models and has been developed according to the guidelines provided by Zepetnek’s (1998) theory of comparative literature. This analytical approach may lead to an alternative critical agenda for the better understanding of human psyche. In addition, it is also hoped that the insights yielded by this research study may develop into new forms of understanding in the realm of psychology.