Relational Being: Beyond Self and Community by Kenneth J. Gergen

by Kenneth J. Gergen

This book builds on two current developments in psychology scholarship and practice. The first centers on broad discontent with the individualist tradition in which the rational agent, or autonomous self, is considered the fundamental atom of social life. Critique of individualism spring not only from psychologists working in the academy, but also from communities of therapy and counseling. The second, and related development from which this work builds, is the search for alternatives to individualist understanding. Thus, therapists such as Steve Mitchell, along with feminists at the Stone Center, expand the psychoanalytic tradition to include a relational orientation to therapy.

The present volume will give voice to the critique of individualism, but its major thrust is to develop and illustrate a far more radical and potentially exciting landscape of relational thought and practice that now exists. Most existing attempts to build a relational foundation remain committed to a residual form of individualist psychology. The present work carves out a space of understanding in which relational process stands prior to the very concept of the individual. More broadly, the book attempts to develop a thoroughgoing relational account of human activity. In doing so, Gergen reconstitutes 'the mind' as a manifestation of relationships and bears out these ideas in a range of everyday professional practices, including family therapy, collaborative classrooms, and organizational psychology.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Sociology, Society

Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am fond of Gergen's writing on social construction because I think it has potential to really change the way people perceive and relate to the world, and this book has plenty of that perspective. The formulation of human existence as being relational prior to individuality is certainly provocative and worth exploring, but it can be taken too far. I think Gergen overstates the supremacy of language over thought here (and elsewhere), so it is important to realize when reading this that it is a reaction against the modern individualistic view that characterizes the western ideal of the self. Worth reading if you are fascinated by the premise. If you're interested, I'd recommend a different book by the same author: "An Invitation to Social Construction" (2nd edition), I'm happy to lend it out.

[Annemieke]

Ik heb het boek niet compleet gelezen, maar zie het als een boek om geregeld stukjes inspiratie uit te halen.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. well presented material, theory and practice. The type of material that I can and will use.

Helps the reader better understand relationships and how to work with them differently. Makes sense and works for me.

[Rob Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundational

Relational Being is a comprehensive guide into understanding a generative view of the world that has been emerging for centuries, and Dr. Gergen has successfully distilled the language for it.

[Cateinto/bc]

Spectacular, readable overview of social construction in its