Abstract：Theoretical psychology is an indispensable dimension inherent in the scientific thinking of psychology as a whole， and its importance has always been recognized theoretically. In practice， however， it seems hard to avoid the fate of being marginalized. This situation has always led it into puzzlement， perplexity， and even stagnancy in its investigations. The reasons for its seemingly predestined fate lie in the peculiarity of psychology and its history on the one hand， and the special character of itself on the other. The analysis of its scientific missions reveals that the essence of theoretical psychology is the systematic questioning concerning what， necessarily， psychology proper is. This implies that it moves inevitably from a critic denial stance when dealing with naturalistic psychology programs to constructive efforts with an affirmative stance when dealing with phenomenological psychology programs. With the organic unity of human thinking， which naturally includes psychology itself as background， the whole range of theoretical psychology's scientific missions can be perceived. Only then can we appreciate the true meanings of its historical fate， thus harvesting the necessary strength and courage， and faith and hope for continuing and promoting the investigations of theoretical psychology.
2021, Vol. 60 
