Der Sinn im Nein und die Gabe des Gesprächs: Psychoanalytisches Verstehen zwischen Philosophie und Klinik

[The sense in negativity and talking as a gift. Psychoanalytic understanding between philosophy and therapy]


BRIEF SYNOPSIS   
Psychoanalysis is concerned with the understanding of the other and of oneself. It tries to define and, maybe, to adjust the limits of understanding, and it does so in order to allow a person to live a better life. Even negative symptoms or destructive behaviour might turn out to be an important retreat for the subject or the self. It is the gift of talking, the donation of words that is at the centre of the psychoanalytic cure. - As philosophy is, at least in part, devoted to understanding as well,  the dialogue between psychoanalysis and philosophy should be important and enriching for both sides – and indeed it is, as is shown in the book. It starts off with theoretical explorations that focus on hermeneutics and the work of negativity. It goes on to reflect on the relationship of eros and death instinct. It turns to the process of understanding not only in respect to the spoken word, but also to the imaginary, to paintings and works of art. In the clinical part, it concentrates on the psychoanalysis of depression and psychoses.



AUTHOR BIO   
Joachim Küchenhoff, psychoanalyst, member of the Swiss Psychoanalytical Society and the German Psychoanalytical Association (IPA), professor of psychiatry and psychotherapy at Basel university, medical director of the hospital for psychiatry and psychotherapy Basel-Land, Switzerland. Main interests: psychoanalytic theory, interdisciplinary research (psychoanalysis/philosophy and psychoanalysis/humanities), body image, psychotherapy research.