The Importance of Disappointment by Ian Craib

by Ian Craib

Ian Craib brings together the insights of both psychotherapy and sociology to argue that society seems to present new possibilities of living that are in fact illusions. Through the examination of modern theories of death and mourning, contemporary ideas of masculinity, and notions of the self espoused in modern therapies, Craig discusses how we have come to believe that we have rights to aspects of life such as happiness and a fulfilling relationship. This book discusses how psychoanalysis also becomes caught up in these illusions, offering ideals which are unrealizable, yet paradoxically reinforcing the conditions which lead people to seek help in the first place. Against this, Craib points to the "negative" strands of Freud's insistence on "normal human misery;" Klein's insistence on envy and the death instinct; Lacan's insistence on the fragmented nature of the self and the emphasis in British psychoanalysis on helplessness, `dependence and paradox. The book shows how, by drawing on such ideas, psychoanalytic therapy can become more than an ideology, offering genuine help to its patients and providing a real source of radical social criticism.

Genres: Psychology, Sociology

Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Nurdan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting yet badly edited book that rewards the patient reader with original and valuable insights.

[TheGirlWithTheHeartShapedGlasses · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started good and went bad as i read it.As much as i understand,the thoughts were based on and turned into relationships between wife&husband at all chapters more than between an individual human-being and society so i lost interest easily and it both criticized the Psychoanalysis and support it so that made me confused and in short I did not comprehend it totally.

[NH_ELT · Rating 2 out of 5]

i didnt like it,Because it feels like book has lots of unrelated topic.There are no clear statements.What writer tries to say is not obvious and mostly quoted.I mean,there arent original opinions.Not heplful,non-informative arguements.the book isnt the type of book that i like.two stars.