Existential psychotherapy draws not only on existential philosophy but also on insights from literature that has informed existential thought. Writers often associated with this tradition include Kafka, Camus, Sartre, Dostoevsky, and Tolstoy. In this talk, I will introduce you to Lu Xun. In China, he is widely regarded as the greatest modern Chinese writer. I will focus on Ah Q, one of Lu Xun’s most memorable literary types, embodying a distinctive cultural and psychological pattern.

The Ah Q mentality refers to a way of coping with humiliation, failure, and powerlessness through self-deception and imaginary moral victory, rather than confronting reality directly. Through this exploration, you will gain an initial understanding of Lu Xun and his cultural critique. You will see how the Ah Q mentality reflects the repression and distortion of human nature shaped by the legacy of traditional feudal culture. The Ah Q mentality offers existential psychology and psychotherapy a culturally grounded resource and valuable insights into healing.

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