The workshop's goal was to foster interdisciplinary relationships among theology, philosophy, and psychology, as well as to make a step toward integrating some of their perspectives in exploring positive personality development.
International participants from the Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Poland, the UK, and the USA engaged in dynamic discussions on questions such as: How can we conceptualize the development of personality, and what methods can we employ to measure it? What facets are integral to the spectrum of personality growth, and how do these aspects manifest in various behaviors? Moreover, is there a discernible connection between personality growth and spirituality, and if such a link exists, what are the underlying dynamics?
Besides the two coordinators, the event featured esteemed speakers like Malgorzata Fajkowska, Professor of Personality Psychology at the Polish Academy of Sciences and current President of the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences (ISSID), Prof. Dan P. McAdams, the Henry Wade Rogers Professor of Psychology and professor of human development and social policy at Northwestern University, as well as Eckhard Frick, Professor of Anthropological Psychology at the Munich School of Philosophy (HFPH) and director of the 'Spiritual Care' research center at the Technical University of Munich. Their contributions, along with those from a diverse international assembly of participants, fostered dynamic discussions and the formation of research groups dedicated to personality growth.
A special highlight of the workshop was the recognition of Eleonore Stump, Professor of Philosophy at Saint Louis University. In recognition of her exceptional lifetime achievements and significant contributions to the philosophy, Munich School of Philosophy honored her with a PhD (“Ehrendoktorwürde”). This honorary degree serves to celebrate her remarkable accomplishments and dedication to advancing the field of philosophy.
This event not only showcased the latest developments in psychological science research methods but also set the stage for future collaborative endeavors in understanding personality growth. Thus, we firmly believe that interdisciplinary collaboration will significantly pave the way for groundbreaking research in the field of personality psychology.
- Markus Quirin and Godehard Brüntrup SJ
Photographs by Gregor Zimmermann