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‘Political Action, Psychoanalytic Action’
Prof Bob Hinshelwood
Chaired by Phil Stokoe
Psychoanalysts are often tempted to interpret the political processes of a society in terms of the dynamics of the unconscious of an individual mind). This leads politicians and social scientists to dismiss psychoanalysis (e.g. Malinovski 1923). Sometimes the psycho-biography of a leader is held to explain the political regime of a whole nation. Our focus on inner states of mind can make psychoanalysis seem irrelevant to political debate and action. This presentation is therefore about the real relevance of psychoanalysis to politics – rather than about specific political issues. I shall consider. Freud’s notion of thinking as ‘experimental action’, and expand it to consider the active influence of minds on each other, Such influence is fundamental to political debate as well as to psychoanalytic practice. The presentation will consider when the understanding of that interpersonal action, understood psychoanalytically, is relevant to political issues.
Apocalyptic Times and The Missing Debate. The evil of modernity begins with the disappearance of the community of listeners. Walter Benjamin (1995 [1970])
Dr Jonathan Sklar
Chaired by Ruth McCall
The Psychoanalytic Debate about Race and Racism. Different Perspectives Compared
Prof Michael Rustin
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Rakesh Shukla
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