Inside the Collective Psyche. From Metaphysical Spectre to C. Rădulescu-Motru's Psychology of the Romanian People

This article intends to serve as a brief excursus into the evolution of the pioneering study of the human mind in the modern era, examining the intricate components of its inner workings, its nature as both a psychological and physiological phenomenon, and, more importantly, its outward social and cultural dimensions. Thematically, it is structured along two parts: the first provides a historical narrative that traces the journey from the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes to the German physiologist and experimental psychologist Wilhelm Wundt; the second part transitions into an applied analysis, focusing on Romanian philosopher and psychologist Constantin Rădulescu-Motru's attempts to draw a distinct psychological portrait of the Romanian people.