Psychoanalytic versions of the human condition : philosophies of life and their impact on practice

What is psychoanalysis? Whereas there was once a time when proponents of "mainstream psychoanalysis" could point to the preeminence of Freud's drive theory and the version of the human condition associated with itman as seeking pleasure in an erotically tinged universecontemporary psychoanalysis is a fractured and contentious discipline in which competing theories share little more than the basic concepts of unconscious mental processes, repression, and transference. Taking the complexities, ambiguities, and contradictions engendered by psychoanalysis over the past several decades as an encouraging point of departure rather than as evidence of the dissolution of the "psychoanalytic tradition," Psychoanalytic Versions of the Human Condition makes explicit how, within each major theory, a particular story about the nature of the world and what it means to be human decisively shapes how the clinician conceptualizes individual psychopathology and approaches treatment. A chorus of voices that both challenges and reaffirms the theory and practice of psychoanalysis, Psychoanalytic Versions of the Human Condition asks urgent questionsabout the politics of psychoanalytic knowledge, and about how the profession is situated and operates in our contemporary culture. Whether Freudian, Jungian, Kleinian, Kohutian, Lacanian, or hybrid, the clinician will find this book a useful guide to understanding how each theory's "philosophy of life" infuses clinical work.

what Is Psychoanalysis? Whereas There Was Once A Time When Proponents Of Mainstream Psychoanalysis Could Point To The Preeminence Of Freud's Drive Theory And The Version Of The Human Condition Associated With It-man As Seeking Pleasure In An Erotically Tinged Universe-contemporary Psychoanalysis Is A Fractured And Contentious Discipline In Which Competing Theories Share Little More Than The Basic Concepts Of Unconscious Mental Processes, Repression, And Transference.

taking The Complexities, Ambiguities, And Contradictions Engendered By Psychoanalysis Over The Past Several Decades As An Encouraging Point Of Departure Rather Than As Evidence Of The Dissolution Of The Psychoanalytic Tradition, psychoanalytic Versions Of The Human Condition Makes Explicit How, Within Each Major Theory, A Particular Story About The Nature Of The World And What It Means To Be Human Decisively Shapes How The Clinician Conceptualizes Individual Psychopathology And Approaches Treatment. A Chorus Of Voices That Both Challenges And Reaffirms The Theory And Practice Of Psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic Versions Of The Human Condition Asks Urgent Questions-about The Politics Of Psychoanalytic Knowledge, And About How The Profession Is Situated And Operates In Our Contemporary Culture. Whether Freudian, Jungian, Kleinian, Kohutian, Lacanian, Or Hybrid, The Clinician Will Find This Book A Useful Guide To Understanding How Each Theory's Philosophy Of Life Infuses Clinical Work.

Introduction / Paul Marcus, Alan Rosenberg -- Historical Overview : A Mosaic Of Psychoanalytic Therapies / Edith Kurzweil -- Jung's Vision Of The Human Psyche And Analytic Practice / Murray Stein -- Alfred Adler : Classical Theory And Practice / Henry T. Stein, Martha E. Edwards -- Karen Horney's Counterdiscourses : Contemporary Implications / Michelle Price -- Melanie Klein And The Nature Of Good And Evil / C. Fred Alford -- D.w. Winnicott's Psychoanalytic Playground / Gerald J. Gargiulo -- W.r.d. Fairbairn And His Growing Significance For Current Psychoanalysis And Psychotherapy / James S. Grotstein -- Wilfred R. Bion : Infinite Surfaces, Explosiveness, Faith / Michael Eigen -- Heinz Kohut's Vision Of The Essence Of Humanness / Paul H. Ornstein -- Experiential Approach To Interpersonal Psychoanalysis / Warren Wilner -- Ambiguity Is The Essence : The Relevance Of Hermaneutics For Psychoanalysis / Louis A. Sass -- Cure Of Stories : Self-deception, Danger Situations, And The Clinical Role Of Narratives In Roy Schafer's Psychoanalytic Theory / Paul A. Roth -- Existential Psychoanalysis : A Laingian Perspective / M. Guy Thompson -- Jacques Lacan : The Language Of Alienation / Marion M. Oliner -- Feminist Psychoanalysis : The Uneasy Intimacy Of Feminism And Psychoanalysis / Cynthia Burack -- Sigmund Freud : The Question Of A Weltschauung And Of Defense / Alan Bass. Edited By Paul Marcus And Alan Rosenberg. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.