“Find yourself” and “be faithful to yourself” as vectors of self-cognition

Abstract

Using the personаlity theory of German psychologist Philipp Lersch, a phenomenological elucidation of what it means “to thine own self be true” is offered. Lersch views the person as a two-tіеr structure. The <affective-dynamic> base is formed by our drives, needs, desires, and emotions connected with them. Resting upon it is the <personal superstructure> of thinking and decision-making processes. Harmonious working together of both levels is a precondition of personal authenticity, while lack of it, as in repressions, leads to inauthentic, “phony“ experiences and behaviors (as described by J.D.Salinger in his novel “Catcher in the rye”). In the person-centered therapy of Carl Rogers client is slowly moving in the direction of a <fully functioning person> which is open to and in touch with experiences of its <organism>, i.e. its <affective-dynamic base>. This Rogerian concept is similar to the A.H. Maslow’s descriptions of <self-actualizing persons>.