For some time it has been my intention to put articles of particular
interest from the journal _Free Associations_ which appeared in
issues which are out of print, as well as some interesting material
from other issues. I will do this as and when I can manage it. The
first such articles are much-admired and, in my opinion highly
original and insightful.
The first is by
Margot Waddell, 'Living in Two Worlds: Psychoanalytic Theory and
Social Work Practice', which first appeased in Free Associations No.
15: 11-35
http://www.human-nature.com/free-associations/waddell%20-%20living_in_
two_worlds.htm
She juxtaposes psychoanalytic theory, an interventionist but
contemplative body of writing, with social work practice, which is
highly biased toward action. Drawing on the theories of Klein, Bion,
Meltzer and Harris, among others, she advocates the merits of
contaiment. The essay is also particularly movingly written.
The second is by
Margot Waddell and Gianna Williams, 'Reflections on Perverse States
of Mind', which originally appeared in _Free Associations No. 22 vol.
2: 203-13.
http://human-nature.com/free-associations/waddell-williams%20-%20rev.htm
They give particularly apt examples of perversity in children and
adults and explore their dynamics, drawing, in particular, on the
work of Rosenfeld, whose concept of the 'gang in the mind' is starkly
illustrated. They also make the important point that perversity and
perversion should not be conflated and that either can occur in
heterosexuals and homosexuals, depending on the underlying
unconscious phantasy.
Orwell's 'Nineteen Eighty-Four_ turns up in the clinical material in
both essays.
I have found myself returning to both of them again and again since I
first heard them.
There are 30 other documents on the web site of Free Associations
http://human-nature.com/free-associations/contents.html
and innumerable ones, including a number of complete books, on the
web site of Human-Nature.com
http:www.human-nature.com
Best, Bob Young
Robert Maxwell Young
[log in to unmask]
http://www.human-nature.com
Last lines of 'Oedipus Rex':
'Sons and daughters of Thebes, behold: this was Oedipus,
Greatest of men; he held the key to the deepest mysteries;
Was envied by all his fellow-men for his great prosperity;
Behold, what a full tide of misfortune swept over his head.
Then learn that mortal man must always look to his ending,
And none can be called happy until that day when he carries
His happiness to the grave'
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