- This event has passed.
This talk will take place online via Zoom, A recording will be made available to all ticket holders shortly after the event takes place and will be available to playback for one month.
Acknowledging his proposed classification to be only a ‘didactic truth’ , the presenter shall describe seven varieties of truth : (1) Physical truth, (2) Historical truth, (3)Narrative truth, (4) Poetic truth, (5) Manufactured truth, (6 ) Judicial truth, and (7) Existential truth. He will describe the nuances of each and demonstrate how each of these truths is present in the clinical chamber and affects the unfolding of the therapeutic dialogue.The presenter shall liven things up by illustrations from daily life as well as from poetry.
Salman Akhtar MD is Professor of Psychiatry, Jefferson Medical College ; Training & Supervising Analyst, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.
Author or editor of 105 books in psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and poetry, including the forthcoming Truth: Developmental, Cultural, and Clinical Realms, (February 2023) edited by Salman Akhtar.
A book that investigates the meaning of truth in all its forms: in physical and psychical sense, in prose and poetry, in history and law, in politics and philosophy, and in various phases of the human life span. A topic of great interest to many disciplines in the humanities and to mental health clinicians working with its varied manifestations.
With contributions from Salman Akhtar, Cobi Avshalom, Brett Clarke, Mali Mann, Gila Ofer, Thomas Ogden, Louis Rothschild, Batya Shoshani, Michael Shoshani, Naama Shoshani-Breda, Ann Smolen, Donald Spence, Richard Waugaman, Thomas Wolman, and Vamık D. Volkan.
Fifteen distinguished authors bring together their vast experience as psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, social workers, and psychotherapists to present a nuanced and in-depth investigation into the concept of truth. Divided into five parts, the book begins with a thoughtful discussion from Brett Clarke on what truth means and its role in psychoanalysis. It then moves into the realm of development, looking at truth from the viewpoint of children, adolescents, and adults.
Stepping from development to culture, the works of Shakespeare, Heidegger and Freud are brought into the debate alongside the relationship of truth with individual and large-group psychology. Next come four chapters taking ‘truth’ into the clinical realm, grounding theory in practice. The book is brought to completion by an epilogue from Louis Rothschild answering the vital question: ‘Truly, what does all this mean?’
A must-read book for practising clinicians and academics in the mental health and humanities fields that investigates the wide range of theories on truth, how they have changed over the years, and their practical applications.
