BPA Scientific – Reactionary States of Mind
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British Psychoanalytic Association
Description
Online via Zoom & In-Person
Reactionary States of Mind
Paul Hoggett
Abstract:
As climatic, economic, technological and other crises pile upon one another liberal democracy in the West finds itself endangered. Conspiracy theories flourish, prejudice and intolerance spread and inhuman violence once more becomes acceptable. How might psychoanalysis and social theory help us better understand reactionary states of mind? Paul Hoggett will suggest that a starting point lies with the phantasy that an ideal world has been lost or stolen. From here he will examine phenomena such as ‘ressentiment’, grievance, ‘apophenia’ and nihilism and will ask whether there are differences between the authoritarian and totalitarian mind. He will draw upon both clinical material and social and historical research.
Biography
Recently retired from his practice as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist Paul Hoggett was founder editor of Organisational and Social Dynamics, the journal of the Tavistock Group Relations tradition, and co-founder and first chair of the Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA). He is Emeritus Professor of Social Policy at UWE, Bristol and the author of many books including Politics, Identity and Emotion (Paradigm, 2009) and, most recently, Paradise Lost? The Climate Crisis and the Human Condition (Simplicity Institute, 2023). Recent papers include ‘Reactionary States of Mind as the Holocene Ends’ (Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 2023) and ‘Confronting the Inhuman’ (Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, 2025).
£25 / Concession £18 (contact lukeperry@psychoanalysis-bpa.org for a concession code)
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The opinions and views expressed are entirely those of the speaker in a personal capacity and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the BPA.
