Pickering, John. “Mental Life if Organic, Not Mechanistic." Whitehead Religion Psychology. 72-83.[Conference paper presented at The 5th International Whitehead Conference], Seoul, South Korea, May 28.2004.

Abstract

A paradigm shift is occurring in Western psychology. Organic metaphors for mental life are replacing mechanistic ones. Consciousness is being recognized as a living process. Whitehead proposed that the ultimate constituents of reality are subjects, not objects. This article compares Whitehead’s views with recent developments in Western studies of consciousness. It will be concluded that the paradigm shift will facilitate the interaction of Western and Eastern psychological thought.