olloROLLO MAY
(Expert # 56)R May Quick Facts
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olloin Area: Existential Psychology
B eller: “Love an
P : Author; Psychologist
R May Biography
Rollo May was the one of the leading American e
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0 century. His work focused on the positive aspects of human potential and on
the will of individuals toward self-fulfillment. After graduating from Oberlin
College in Ohio, he traveled across Europe, where he taught English and spent
time as an itinerant artist.
When May returned to the United States, he
a came friends with one of his teachers, Paul Tillich, an existentialist
gian, who would have a profound effect on his thinking. May’s existe
ology examines reality as created by man himself. Man is ultimately
sible for the quality of his own existence, which takes precedence over
living in the world.
life changed when he contracted tuberculosis and had to spend three ye
natorium. In 1949, he received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from
bia University, and in 1958, he edited the book, Existence, which intr
ntial psychology to the United States. May’s many other writings incl
ourage to Create and Love and Will.Riklan’s favorite Rollo May Quotes and ThoughtsCreativity arises out of the tension between spontaneity and
latter (like the river banks) forcing the spontan- limitations, the
eity into the various forms
which are essential to the work of art or poem. - Creativity is not merely the innocent spontaneity of our youth and
childhood; it must also be married to the passion of the adult human being,
which is a passion to live beyond one’s death.