The challenge of uncertainty as the key issue of the psychology of personality

Abstract

The paper presents a theoretical analysis of uncertainty as an underlying characteristic of the contemporary world, psychological effects generated by this challenge, and individual strategies of one’s dealing with this challenge. It is shown that putting uncertainty to the foreground generates in our society problems with understanding the nature of scholarly knowledge, understanding human nature and self-determination regarding values. Resolution of these problems is possible in the framework of existential worldview, based on the acknowledgement of uncertainty as a fundamental ontological condition. Acceptance of uncertainty and tolerance for uncertainty make a condition and a characteristic feature of psychological maturity and health.