Glossary / Lexicon

Eigenwelt refers to Binswanger's term for a person's private, inner experiences. It is a way of relating to one’s "own world". It refers to being aware of oneself and how we relate to ourselves.

Eigenwelt is a German word that means "own world" or "self-world". In psychology, the concept of eigenwelt refers to an individual's unique and subjective experience of the world. It is the world that we perceive and experience based on our personal beliefs, values, and experiences.

Eigenwelt was introduced by the German philosopher Martin Heidegger, who argued that each individual has their own unique world that they experience subjectively. Heidegger believed that understanding the individual's eigenwelt was crucial for understanding their experience of the world.

In psychology, the concept of eigenwelt is often used in the context of phenomenology and existential psychology. For example, a therapist may use the concept of eigenwelt to help a client explore their subjective experience of the world and gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Here are some examples of how the concept of eigenwelt might be used in psychology:

• A therapist might ask a client to describe their experience of a recent stressful event, such as a conflict with a co-worker. The therapist may encourage the client to explore their subjective experience of the event and how their unique perspectives and beliefs may have influenced their thoughts and emotions.

• An existential psychologist might use the concept of eigenwelt to help a client explore their sense of meaning and purpose in life. The therapist might encourage the client to reflect on their personal values and beliefs and how these shape their experience of the world.

• A researcher might use the concept of eigenwelt to study how different individuals experience the same phenomenon in unique ways. For example, a study might explore how people from different cultural backgrounds experience and interpret the same piece of art, taking into account their individual beliefs, values, and experiences.