The Spirituality of Logic-Based Therapy

Abstract

Logic-Based Therapy and Consultation (LBTC) identifies sets of irrational thinking or “cardinal fallacies” that promote self-defeating emotions, such as depression, anxiety, guilt, and anger. To overcome these fallacies, LBTC enlists philosophical ideas to attain virtue. The latter “guiding virtues” are ideals, never fully achievable, which are thus aspirational in character. Philosophical ideas are considered “uplifting” when they phenomenologically connect the client to such virtues. From this phenomenological perspective, this connection is experienced by the client as a “leading up” or transcendence with a sense of liberation from the suffering generated by the cardinal fallacy. Herein, lies an intensely spiritual experience. For clients who are religious and utilize religious philosophies to aspire to virtue, this experience is deeply religious. For those who embrace non-religious philosophies (those that are not God-centered), this liberating experience is nonetheless spiritual. It is typically described by clients as a sense of freedom or lightness; a deep peace of mind or serenity associated with the guiding virtue of all guiding virtues: metaphysical security. This article provides an analysis of the nature and conditions under which this deeply spiritual experience is attainable during the course of LBTC practice.

Keywords

• logic-based therapy
• spirituality
• guiding virtue
• uplifting philosophy
• phenomenological
• cardinal fallacy