Human Goodness

Origins, Manifestations, and Clinical Implications

Edited by Salman Akhtar - Contributions by Salman Akhtar; Lawrence Blum; Jodi Brown; Elio Frattaroli; Beth J. Seelig; Shahrzad Siassi; Andrew Smolar and Ann G. Smolen

Human Goodness: Origins, Manifestations, and Clinical Implications focuses on the positive attributes that exist in each human heart. In this volume eight distinguished clinicians elucidate the notion of human goodness and devote their attention to subjects including altruism, kindness, concern, gratitude, and forgiveness. The origins of these valuable traits in the crucible of childhood experience are fleshed out and the therapeutic relevance of these ideas is illustrated with numerous clinical vignettes. As a result, this exceptional, tightly edited book is replete with material leading mental health professionals to see their clients in fresh and increasingly helpful ways.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 150 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-1-4422-4423-8 • Hardback • November 2014 • $101.00 • (£78.00)

978-1-4422-4424-5 • eBook • November 2014 • $96.00 • (£74.00)

Series: Margaret S. Mahler

Subjects: Psychology / Psychotherapy / Group, Psychology / Clinical Psychology, Psychology / History, Psychology / Health Psychology

Human Goodness

Origins, Manifestations, and Clinical Implications

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Human Goodness: Origins, Manifestations, and Clinical Implications focuses on the positive attributes that exist in each human heart. In this volume eight distinguished clinicians elucidate the notion of human goodness and devote their attention to subjects including altruism, kindness, concern, gratitude, and forgiveness. The origins of these valuable traits in the crucible of childhood experience are fleshed out and the therapeutic relevance of these ideas is illustrated with numerous clinical vignettes. As a result, this exceptional, tightly edited book is replete with material leading mental health professionals to see their clients in fresh and increasingly helpful ways.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 150 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-1-4422-4423-8 • Hardback • November 2014 • $101.00 • (£78.00)

978-1-4422-4424-5 • eBook • November 2014 • $96.00 • (£74.00)

Series: Margaret S. Mahler

Subjects: Psychology / Psychotherapy / Group, Psychology / Clinical Psychology, Psychology / History, Psychology / Health Psychology

Author

Salman Akhtar, MD, is professor of psychiatry at Jefferson Medical College and training and supervising analyst at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.

Table of Contents

Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1Human Goodness: An Introductory Overview
Salman Akhtar, MD
Chapter 2Do Psychoanalysts Know What’s Good for Them? If So, Why Are They Always Arguing about It? If Not, How Do They (And We) Know What’s Good for Us?
Elio Frattaroli, MD
Chapter 3On Human Goodness: Origins and Limitations
Lawrence Blum, MD
Chapter 4A Therapist’s Maternal Altruism
Beth Seelig,MD
Chapter 5The Altruistic Omnipotent Mother: A Dangerous Myth
Ann Smolen, PhD
Chapter 6Kindness, Altruism and Forgiveness: Three Facets of Healthy Human Relatedness
Shahrzad Siassi, PhD
Chapter 7Some Unconscious Variables at Play in Human Goodness
Jodi Brown, MD
Chapter 8In Favor of Good and Bad Objects: A Concluding Commentary
Andrew Smolar, MD
References
Index
About the Editors and Contributors

Reviews

Salman Akhtar has once again brought us to a new frontier—a scholarly and engaging exploration of the complexity of human goodness. His opening chapter is a gem. In these troubled times, when evil abounds, this book is an important guidepost not only for psychoanalysts, but for all who wish to find the goodness that exists even in the hearts of our enemies.

— Jennifer Bonovitz, PhD, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia

Salman Akhtar has done it again: a brilliantly creative volume on human goodness with three central papers, each with a discussant. Striking are the fresh ideas presented and discussed in a lucid writing style beautifully articulated English. This volume is an inspiring document and a great read providing mental health professionals with clinically useful ideas.
— Stuart Twemlow, MD, University College, London; International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies