Persons in Context: The Challenge of Individuality in Theory and Practice

183 Pages·2010·3.075 MB·English

by  Roger Frie, William J. Coburn

Persons
in Context
Psychoanalytic Inquiry Book Series
Volume 32
PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES
JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG
Series Editor
Like its counterpart, Psychoanalytic Inquiry: A Topical Journal for Mental
Health Professionals, the Psychoanalytic Inquiry Book Series presents a
diversity of subjects within a diversity of approaches to those subjects.
Under the editorship of Joseph Lichtenberg, in collaboration with Melvin
Bornstein and the editorial board of Psychoanalytic Inquiry, the volumes
in this series strike a balance between research, theory, and clinical appli-
cation. We are honored to have published the works of various innova-
tors in psychoanalysis, such as Frank Lachmann, James Fosshage, Robert
Stolorow, Donna Orange, Louis Sander, Leon Wurmser, James Grotstein,
Joseph Jones, Doris Brothers, Fredric Busch, and Joseph Lichtenberg,
among others.
The series includes books and monographs on mainline psychoana-
lytic topics, such as sexuality, narcissim, trauma, homosexuality, jealousy,
envy, and varied aspects of analytic process and technique. In our efforts
to broaden the field of analytic interest, the series has incorporated and
embraced innovative discoveries in infant research, self psychology, inter-
subjectivity, motivational systems, affects as process, responses to cancer,
borderline states, contextualism, postmodernism, attachment research and
theory, medication, and mentalization. As further investigations in psy-
choanalysis come to fruition, we seek to present them in readable, easily
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After 25 years, the core vision of this series remains the investigation,
analysis and discussion of developments on the cutting edge of the psycho-
analytic field, inspired by a boundless spirit of inquiry.
PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES
JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG
Series Editor
Vol. 32 Vol. 23
Persons in Context: Trauma and Human Existence:
The Challenge of Individuality Autobiographical, Psychoanalytic, and
in Theory and Practice Philosophical Reflections
Roger Frie & William J. Coburn (eds.) Robert D. Stolorow
Vol. 31 Vol. 22
Toward an Emancipatory Psychoanalysis: Psychotherapy and Medication:
Brandchaft’s Intersubjective Vision
The Challenge of Integration
Bernard Brandchaft, Shelly Doctors,
Fredric N. Busch & Larry S. Sandberg
& Dorienne Sorter
Vol. 21
Vol. 30
Attachment and Sexuality:
From Psychoanalytic Narrative to
Diana Diamond, Sidney J. Blatt,
Empirical Single Case Research:
& Joseph D. Lichtenberg (eds.)
Implications for Psychoanalytic Practice
Horst Kächele, Joseph Schachter, Helmut Vol. 20
Thomä & the Ulm Psychoanalytic Craft &Spirit:
Process Research Study Group
A Guide to Exploratory Psychotherapies
Vol. 29 Joseph D. Lichtenberg
Mentalization:
Vol. 19
Theoretical Considerations, Research
A Spirity of Inquiry:
Findings, and Clinical Implications
Communication in Psychoanalysis
Fredric N. Busch (ed.)
Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Lachmann,
Vol. 28 & James L. Fosshage
Transforming Narcissism:
Vol. 18
Reflections on Empathy, Humor, and
Kohut, Loewald, and the Postmoderns:
Expectations
Frank M. Lachmann A Comparative Study of Self and
Relationship
Vol. 27 Judith Guss Teicholz
Toward a Psychology of Uncertainty:
Trauma-Centered Psychoanalysis Vol. 17
Doris Brothers Working Intersubjectively:
Contextualism in Psychoanalytic Practice
Vol. 26
Donna M. Orange, George E. Atwood,
Living Systems, Evolving Consciousness,
& Robert D. Stolorow
and the Emerging Person: A Collection
of Papers from the Life Work of Vol. 16
Louis Sander The Clinical Exchange:
Gherardo Amadei & Ilaria Bianchi (eds.) Techniques Derived from Self and
Motivational Systems
Vol. 25
Sensuality and Sexuality Across the Divide Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Lachmann,
of Shame & James L. Fosshage
Joseph D. Lichtenberg
Vol. 14
Vol. 24 Affects as Process:
Jealousy and Envy: An Inquiry into the Centrality
New Views about Two Powerful Feelings of Affect in Psychological Life
Léon Wurmser & Heidrun Jarass (eds.) Joseph M. Jones
PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES
JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG
Series Editor
Vol. 13 Vol. 7
Self and Motivational Systems: The Borderline Patient: Emerging Concepts
Toward a Theory of Psychoanalytic in Diagnosis, Psychodynamics, and
Technique Treatment, Vol. 2
Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Lachmann, James S. Grotstein, Marion F. Solomon,
& James L. Fosshage & Joan A. Lang (eds.)
Vol. 12 Vol. 6
Contexts of Being: The Borderline Patient: Emerging Concepts
The Intersubjective Foundations of in Diagnosis, Psychodynamics, and
Psychological Life Treatment, Vol. 1
Robert D. Stolorow & George E. Atwood James S. Grotstein, Marion F. Solomon,
& Joan A. Lang (eds.)
Vol. 10
Psychoanalysis and Motivation Vol. 5
Joseph D. Lichtenberg Toward a Comprehensive Model
for Schizophrenic Disorders:
Vol. 8
Psychoanalytic Essays in Memory of
Psychoanalytic Treatment:
Ping-Nie Pao
An Intersubjective Approach
David B. Feinsilver
Robert D. Stolorow, Bernard Brandchaft, &
George E. Atwood Vol. 4
Structures of Subjectivity: Explorations in
Vol. 2
Psychoanalytic Phenomenology
Psychoanalysis and Infant Research
George E. Atwood & Robert D. Stolorow
Joseph D. Lichtenberg
Vol. 3
Out of Print titles in the PI Series Empathy, Volumes I & II
Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Melvin Bornstein,
Vol. 15 & Donald Silver (eds.)
Understanding Therapeutic Action:
Psychodynamic Concepts of Cure Vol. 1
Lawrence E. Lifson (ed.) Reflections on Psychology
Joseph D. Lichtenberg &
Vol. 11 Samuel Kaplan (eds.)
Cancer Stories: Creativity and Self-Repair
Esther Dreifuss-Kattan
Vol. 9
Female Homosexuality:
Choice without Volition
Elaine V. Siegel
Persons
in Context
The Challenge of
Individuality in Theory
and Practice
Edited by
ROGER FRIE and
WILLIAM J. COBURN
New York London
Routledge Routledge
Taylor & Francis Group Taylor & Francis Group
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Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data
Persons in context : the challenge of individuality in theory and practice / edited
by Roger Frie & William J. Coburn.
p. cm. -- (Psychoanalytic inquiry ; v. 32)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-415-87143-3 (hardcover) -- ISBN 978-0-415-87144-0 (pbk.) --
ISBN 978-0-203-86932-1 (e-book)
1. Individuation (Psychology) 2. Self-analysis (Psychoanalysis) 3. Individuality.
4. Personal construct theory. I. Frie, Roger, 1965- II. Coburn, William J.
BF175.5.I53P47 2010
155.2--dc22 2010006864
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
http://www.taylorandfrancis.com
and the Routledge Web site at
http://www.routledgementalhealth.com
ISBN 0-203-86932-X Master e-book ISBN
Contents
Contributors i x
Preface and acknowledgments xiii
Introduction: Experience in context x v
ROGER FRIE AND WILLIAM J. COBURN
Part 1
Social, cultural, and political contexts 1
1 Culture and context: From individualism to situated
experience 3
ROGER FRIE
2 So who’s asking? Politics, hermeneutics, and individuality 2 1
PHILIP CUSHMAN
Part 2
Philosophical contexts 4 1
3 Beyond individualism: Philosophical contributions of
Buber, Gadamer, and Lévinas 43
DONNA ORANGE
4 Individuality in context: The relationality of finitude 5 9
ROBERT D. STOLOROW
vii
viii Contents
Part 3
Developmental contexts 6 9
5 Persons acting in worldly contexts 71
JEFF SUGARMAN AND JACK MARTIN
6 Development of individuality within a systems world 89
JAMES L. FOSSHAGE
7 Perspectives on individuality: From cells to selves 107
FRANK M. LACHMANN
Part 4
reflections on the challenges of individuality 119
8 Recontextualizing individuality and therapeutic action in
psychoanalysis and psychotherapy 121
WILLIAM J. COBURN
Index 147
Contributors
William J. Coburn, PhD, PsyD, is senior supervising and training analyst
and faculty member at the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Los
Angeles, and at the Northwestern Center for Psychoanalysis, Portland,
Oregon. He is editor-in-chief of International Journal of Psychoanalytic
Self Psychology, is an editorial board member of Psychoanalytic Inquiry,
and co-editor (with Nancy VanDerHeide) of Self and Systems: Explorations
in Contemporary Self Psychology (Blackwell, 2009).
Philip Cushman, PhD, is core faculty in the PsyD program at Antioch
University in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Constructing the Self,
Constructing America: A Cultural History of Psychotherapy (Addison-
Wesley, 1995) and of many articles on psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and
the history of psychology and psychotherapy.
James L. Fosshage, PhD, is co-founder, board director, and faculty member
of the National Institute for the Psychotherapies of New York City, founding
faculty member of the Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity
of New York City, and clinical professor of psychology of the New York
University postdoctoral program in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.
He is consulting editor of Psychoanalytic Inquiry and editorial board
member of the International Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology
and Psychoanalytic Dialogues. He is author of more than 80 publica-
tions, including six books; his most recent book, co-authored with Joseph
Lichtenberg and Frank Lachmann, is A Spirit of Inquiry: Communication
in Psychoanalysis (Analytic Press, 2002).
Roger Frie, PhD, PsyD, is associate professor of education at Simon Fraser
University, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of
British Columbia, and faculty and supervisor at William Alanson White
Institute in New York. He is an editorial board member of International
Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology and Psychoanalytic Psychology.
His recently edited books include Psychology Agency: Theory, Practice, and
ix