SBCPS Extended Series Opening Event—In Dark Times

In Dark Times: Psychoanalytic Praxis as a Form of Resistance to Fascist Propaganda

Era A. Loewenstein, Ph.D.

Saturday Aug 22, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

flyerTheodor Adorno, the Frankfurt School philosopher, who was profoundly influenced by psychoanalysis and was forced to flee Nazi Germany in the 1930s described fascist propaganda as “psychoanalysis in reverse.” Using contemporary psychoanalytic perspectives this talk will demonstrate how more than ever the psychoanalytic attitude, practice and ethics can be seen as an antidote to fascistic states of mind and to fascism. The presentation will explore how the practice and the ethics of psychoanalysis, that are based on the pursuit of personal truth, humility, tolerance for otherness and the commitment to becoming familiar with and to own disavowed aspects of oneself can be seen as active ways to resist fascism during these dark times when powerful anti-democratic forces are on the rise in the United States and around the world. The capacity to bear doubt and to face the unknown while developing what Bion termed the capacity to stay in a state of negative capability will be discussed in this context. Clinical illustrations will be included.

When
August 22nd, 2020 1:00 PM
Location
Online via Zoom (Pacific Time Zone)
CA
United States
Event Fee(s)
Admission
General $ 20.00
PINC Member $ 15.00
Student or Candidate $ 10.00