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Beyond Doer and Done to
In Beyond Doer and Done To, Jessica Benjamin, author of the path-breaking Bonds of Love, expands her theory of mutual recognition and its breakdown into the complementarity of "doer and done to." Her innovative theory charts the growth of the Third in early development through the movement between recognition and breakdown, and shows how it parallels the enactments in the psychoanalytic relationship. Benjamin's recognition theory illuminates the radical potential of acknowledgment in healing both individual and social trauma, in creating relational repair in the transformational space of thirdness. Benjamin's unique formulations of intersubjectivity make essential reading for both psychoanalytic therapists and theorists in the humanities and social sciences.
284 pages, Hardcover
Published July 7, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 16, 2020
This was a tough read, though very brilliant.
It’s really written for therapists, I would have liked to see her talk more about how these insights could apply to people in non-clinical contexts.
It’s really written for therapists, I would have liked to see her talk more about how these insights could apply to people in non-clinical contexts.
May 21, 2024
Jessica Benjamin's "Beyond Doer and Done to" is an ambitious attempt to bridge psychoanalytic theory and contemporary social and political issues. While Benjamin's work is respected for its deep insights into the relational aspects of psychoanalysis, this book, unfortunately, falls short of addressing the urgent need for active participation in dismantling the structures of late-stage imperialism.
A significant portion of the book focuses on the so-called "war" in Israel and Gaza. Benjamin labels this situation a war, which raises critical questions about the terminology we use to describe such conflicts. This is particularly pertinent considering the assertion that when a nation engages in genocide within its own jurisdiction, calling it a war can obscure the reality of the violence being perpetrated.
In the last section, Benjamin critiques the tendency of liberal whites to use psychotherapy as a means of repair without recognizing their complicity within the imperialist framework. This critique is vital, yet Benjamin stops short of proposing concrete steps for psychoanalysis to actively challenge and dismantle these power structures. Instead, the book often retreats into discussions of healing and forgiveness, in the place of the Third, which, while interesting, risk becoming superficial if not coupled with genuine political engagement and action.
Also revealing is how Benjamin talks about the healing and humility needed from the colonizer's position, from Israel to the US in relation to the genocide and ecocide in Vietnam. Benjamin purports to position herself in a stance of neutrality, as if outside the framework of society. It's telling to see how vacant the understandings are for the unheard voices of subalterns. Is it any wonder that today, Benjamin remains with the generation of silent white academics, confused by the outrage regarding the ongoing war crimes that she hides herself behind?
Benjamin’s work seems to fall into the trap of maintaining a stance of naive ignorance and purported neutrality that psychotherapy often claims. This position is increasingly untenable as it inadvertently perpetuates systemic violence and oppression. Psychoanalysis cannot continue to proclaim its innocence while ignoring its diachronic context it operates within. It reduces the function of psychoanalysis to mere clean up crew sent in after the genocide has already passed.
Overall, "Beyond Doer and Done to" is a well meaning contemplation but ultimately misses the mark and adds to the pile of navel gazing ideas that missed all the lessons provided by scholars such as Fanon, Said and even Foucault. In advocating for the radical change necessary to address contemporary issues of power and imperialism. Benjamin’s insights are valuable, but the book lacks the cultural and historical awareness needed to participate in the war waged in our psyche.
A significant portion of the book focuses on the so-called "war" in Israel and Gaza. Benjamin labels this situation a war, which raises critical questions about the terminology we use to describe such conflicts. This is particularly pertinent considering the assertion that when a nation engages in genocide within its own jurisdiction, calling it a war can obscure the reality of the violence being perpetrated.
In the last section, Benjamin critiques the tendency of liberal whites to use psychotherapy as a means of repair without recognizing their complicity within the imperialist framework. This critique is vital, yet Benjamin stops short of proposing concrete steps for psychoanalysis to actively challenge and dismantle these power structures. Instead, the book often retreats into discussions of healing and forgiveness, in the place of the Third, which, while interesting, risk becoming superficial if not coupled with genuine political engagement and action.
Also revealing is how Benjamin talks about the healing and humility needed from the colonizer's position, from Israel to the US in relation to the genocide and ecocide in Vietnam. Benjamin purports to position herself in a stance of neutrality, as if outside the framework of society. It's telling to see how vacant the understandings are for the unheard voices of subalterns. Is it any wonder that today, Benjamin remains with the generation of silent white academics, confused by the outrage regarding the ongoing war crimes that she hides herself behind?
Benjamin’s work seems to fall into the trap of maintaining a stance of naive ignorance and purported neutrality that psychotherapy often claims. This position is increasingly untenable as it inadvertently perpetuates systemic violence and oppression. Psychoanalysis cannot continue to proclaim its innocence while ignoring its diachronic context it operates within. It reduces the function of psychoanalysis to mere clean up crew sent in after the genocide has already passed.
Overall, "Beyond Doer and Done to" is a well meaning contemplation but ultimately misses the mark and adds to the pile of navel gazing ideas that missed all the lessons provided by scholars such as Fanon, Said and even Foucault. In advocating for the radical change necessary to address contemporary issues of power and imperialism. Benjamin’s insights are valuable, but the book lacks the cultural and historical awareness needed to participate in the war waged in our psyche.
February 6, 2023
Beyond Doer and Done to: Recognition Theory, Intersubjectivity and the Third (Paperback)
by Jessica Benjamin
ILL
As a trauma survivor, this book is particularly important to me. There is some very relevant thinking, and there is some unnecessary psychoanalyst-speak.
from Worldcat:
Contents: Beyond doer and done to: an intersubjective view of thirdness -- Our appointment in Thebes: acknowledgment, the failed witness and fear of harming -- Transformations in thirdness: mutual recognition, vulnerability and asymmetry -- You've come a long way baby -- Responsibility, vulnerability and the analyst's surrender to change -- An Other take on the riddle of sex: excess, affect and gender complementarity -- Paradox and play: the uses of enactment -- The paradox is the thing -- Enactment, play and the work
-- Putting music and lyrics together
-- Playing at the edge: negation, recognition and the lawful world
-- Beginning with No ... and Yes
-- Trauma, violence and recognition of the Other (Me)
-- Beyond "Only one can live": witnessing, acknowledgment and the moral Third.
by Jessica Benjamin
ILL
As a trauma survivor, this book is particularly important to me. There is some very relevant thinking, and there is some unnecessary psychoanalyst-speak.
from Worldcat:
Contents: Beyond doer and done to: an intersubjective view of thirdness -- Our appointment in Thebes: acknowledgment, the failed witness and fear of harming -- Transformations in thirdness: mutual recognition, vulnerability and asymmetry -- You've come a long way baby -- Responsibility, vulnerability and the analyst's surrender to change -- An Other take on the riddle of sex: excess, affect and gender complementarity -- Paradox and play: the uses of enactment -- The paradox is the thing -- Enactment, play and the work
-- Putting music and lyrics together
-- Playing at the edge: negation, recognition and the lawful world
-- Beginning with No ... and Yes
-- Trauma, violence and recognition of the Other (Me)
-- Beyond "Only one can live": witnessing, acknowledgment and the moral Third.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews