On Thursday, 24 October 2024, the Zbierski Library held an engaging student activity titled “A Dialogue on Philosophy and Psychology,” with 18 students in attendance. Ms. Vera Koussa, a library staff member, warmly welcomed everyone and introduced Islam Abueram, a second-year student, who led the session.
Islam began with a thought-provoking PowerPoint presentation, offering clear definitions of philosophy and psychology. She then delved into the philosophical roots, spotlighting influential figures like Albert Camus and Descartes, who posed timeless questions about the mind, consciousness, and knowledge. She particularly focused on Descartes’ exploration of the mind-body problem, illustrating how this philosophical query bridges into psychology, where the mind-body connection is studied through neuroscience and behavior.
Islam further elaborated on how psychology deepens our understanding of ourselves and others, and highlighted the collaborative efforts between philosophers and psychologists in exploring cognition and shaping modern approaches to mental health and well-being. She concluded by emphasizing how these two disciplines enrich one another, fostering a more comprehensive view of the human experience.
The session culminated in an engaging discussion where Islam posed a profound question to the group: What is your philosophy of life?
This sparked a lively and insightful discussion, with students passionately sharing their perspectives and engaging in meaningful debate.
Elizabeth Dsouza, Library Director, wrapped up the event by expressing gratitude to Islam Abueram for her engaging session and the students for their enthusiastic participation.