Curiosity as an innate drive explains the development of consciousness, some thoughts about clinical consequences
Organised by:
West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy
Location
Staff House
University of Birmingham (Edgbaston Campus)
Birmingham
United Kingdom
B15 2TN
Description
In this talk, I will describe the necessity of postulating a curiosity drive in order to explain the development of consciousness, that separates humans from other animals. I will explore the consequences for our understanding of human psychological and emotional problems and demonstrate the way that current practices work because they trigger curiosity in the patient and fail because the patient substitutes certainty for curiosity.
Philip Stokoe is a Psychoanalyst in private practice working with adults and couples, and an Organisational Consultant, providing consultation to a wide range of organisations. Philip worked in the Adult Department of the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust between 1994 and 2012, he was the Clinical Director from 2007. He is a member of the European Psychoanalytic Federation Forum on Institutional Matters, which studies the nature of psychoanalytic institutions.
Philip’s book, The Curiosity Drive: Our Need for Inquisitive Thinking, was published by Phoenix Publishing House in November 2020.
To book, email aptc@wmip.org
