A Psychology of Complementarity: Toward a Synochi of Psyche and Physis

Abstract

This hermeneutic research attempts to address the mind and body problem using complementarity from quantum physics and dual aspect monism from philosophy. Quantum mechanics and dual-aspect monism offer ways to explain complex phenomena that include aspects that are seemingly contradictory. In quantum physics, wave–particle complementarity describes how an atom is both a particle and a wave. In dual-aspect monism, the underlying domain of the universe is neither physical nor mental, but these are both aspects of the ontology. Applying these ideas from quantum mechanics and dual-aspect monism to the existing paradigms within psychology provides different perspectives on the mind-body problem. To begin the process of applying these theories, the physis is imagined to be a particle and the psyche is imagined to be a wave. Complementarity is then used to explore the psyche and the physis. Psyche and physis are also surveyed using dual aspect monism. As the psyche and physis are explored as two different aspects of one ontology, this research attempts to examine how this would manifest within our existence, and what the theories would mean for the splits within the field of psychology. This research found that the frame used to approach psychology (psyche or physis) impacts the results, and trying to approach psychology without using one aspect or the other is difficult to symbolize, and or practice. For depth psychology, this research has shown that retreating entirely to the imaginal or the unconscious may be an unbalanced approach.