Guilt: A Contemporary Introduction

by Donald L. Carveth

This insightful and innovative book sheds light on the complexity of the concept of guilt, while exploring aspects of guilt that have previously been overlooked in psychoanalytic theory and discourse. Offering original insights on the topic, Donald Carveth looks at Freud's failure to distinguish persecutory guilt from reparative guilt, and the superego from the conscience. The significance of these distinctions for both psychosocial theory and clinical practice is explored throughout the volume. Carveth distinguishes varieties of punitive guilt, such as justified, unjustified, "borrowed" or induced, existential and collective. He expertly describes patterns of self-punishment and self-sabotage, while also addressing the widespread use of persecutory guilt and self-punishment as a defence against and evasion of reparative guilt, contrition, and reparation. Throughout the volume, Carveth critically reviews a range of recent contributions to psychoanalytic literature to support his theories. Part of the Routledge Introductions to Contemporary Psychoanalysis series, this book will be of interest to psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, social scientists, and social philosophers, as well as to those studying ethics and theology.

80 pages, Hardcover

Published July 26, 2023

Reviews

[Roxanna López · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 stars.

[James Akpan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional

I have followed your podcast series that I'm able to access via Audible, all of the episodes. I love your broad and critical perspectives in related subjects including your amendments on Jung whom I'm basing my PhD dissertation on. Psychoanalysis has offered really deeper ways to make life more beautiful, but in today's rapidly changing world, psychoanalysts themselves and sympathizers need to read works like this and go back to what their forebears beginning with Freud were trying to do by their discovery and foundations.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly wonderful book, concisely written, fairly accessible considering the complexity of the subject, eye opening. Highly recommended for those with interest in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.