Adler and Camus: The Interface Between Existentialism and Individual Psychology

In this text, Dr. Trevor Hjertaas examines two of the major schools in psychology: Existentialism and Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology, with a focus on the works of one of Existentialism's key figures, Albert Camus. Camus' writings are rich in human understanding and the utilization of Individual Psychology allows the full appreciation of this fact. Camus' major novels and philosophical essays are thoroughly explicated. Other important Existentialists, such as Sartre, Boss, Binswanger and Frankl are also discussed in some depth. Both Existentialism and Individual Psychology provide hope and courage for coping with some of the major difficulties in life, such as alienation, feelings of inadequacy, a sense of meaninglessness, and paralysis of the will. The comparison of these two schools of thought serves to strengthen and enrich both, and will undoubtedly be of interest to those with some knowledge of either approach.