Metamorphoses of Psyche in Psychoanalysis and Ancient Greek Thought: From Mourning to Creativity

This book explores the transformative power of liminal experiences in ancient Greek texts,psychoanalytic theory,and the author's life to demonstrate how a contemporary understanding of ancient thought can illuminate modern psychoanalytic theory and practice, especially as it relates to trauma, grief, and the development of the psyche.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This extraordinary book delves into the profound impact of liminal experiences in ancient Greek texts, psychoanalytic theory, and the author's personal journey to illustrate how a contemporary understanding of ancient thought can illuminate modern psychoanalytic theory and practice, particularly in the realms of trauma, grief, and the development of the psyche. Recognizing that liminal experiences involve venturing into a psychic space beyond the confines of ego organization, Dobson skillfully weaves together autobiography, literary analysis, philosophical ontology, and psychoanalysis to establish a groundbreaking framework for constructing human beings, enhancing and enriching personal and therapeutic experiences, and accessing the transformative realm of poetry. Alongside meticulously detailed case studies, the author leverages her dual expertise in psychoanalysis and ancient Greek literature to explore how the maternal and liminal aspects of human life were displaced with the rise of Athens and the emergence of a new way of being human—the rational citizen—and how this repression has led to diminished, constrained experiences and the suppression of women throughout Western history. Drawing upon a deep understanding of classical literature and psychoanalysis, as well as extensive clinical insights, this book serves as a vital resource for psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, classicists, and historians seeking to understand the interplay between ancient thought and modern psychoanalysis.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032375526