Australasian Existential Society


Forum Program (Past)

2011

 

 

 

 

 

16 July 2011

Focusing and Gendlin's philosopy of the Implicit

Presenter: Christopher McLean

One meaning of the word 'therapy' points to the healing process that happens within the client/patient. When U.S. philosopher Eugene T.Gendlin worked with Carl Rogers at the University of Chicago, he articulated precisely what happens in the human body that brings about this healing. To him it involves a skilful relationship with the vague, bodily 'something' called a 'felt sense.' He called this skill 'Focusing.' In this presentation this level of human processing was explored directly and as well ashow it relates to and enhances the conditions in clinical work.

28 May 2011

Experimental Phenomenology

Presenter: Peter Harris

Peter Harris explored the use of Gestalt Experiments including the "Empty Chair" and cushion work.  The question, to what extent do these experiments bring to the surface unconscious material or is the therapist leading the client were considered.

12 March 2011

Psychology's Undermining of Responsibility

Presenter: Robert Spillane

The idea of personal responsibility has not fared well in pscyology. Psychoanalysts, behaviourists and others have consistently denied, or minimused, the importance of personal responsibility, human freedom and moral agency.  To remove moral agency from individuals is to render them incapable of recognising notions of right and wrong.  Existentialists have rightly taken a stand against this form of psuedo-scientific bad faith.   In this session Robert Spillane offered a critique of the naken emperors of pscyhology who, by denying human freedom and responsbility, have contributed to the undermining of our civilisation.

 


 


 

 

 


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