Comment on ‘Epistemology, Power, Discourse, Truth and Groups’ by Paul Coombe

Abstract

The publishing of the NILGA's book From Psychoanalysis to Group Analysis: the pioneering work of Trigant Burrow by the Italians Edi Pertegato and Giorgio Pertegato, in 2013, was a major breakthrough and acknowledgement of the importance of Burrow as an outstanding pioneer of the psychoanalytic and group analytic field. After positive book reviews and paper presentations it seems that Burrow's work has left behind the ostracism to slowly assume a deserved role in our field. My words might seem optimistic, regarding the number of years that his contributions were ignored, censored and excluded (Pertegato and Pertegato, 2013), mainly because ignorance about his work still remains, especially in the psychoanalytic milieu. However, it is time to start integrating his findings into the psychoanalytic and group analytic frameworks, while aiming to understand not only the historical roots and the 'dominant analytic establishment' of our profession, but also to broaden the perspectives of its field. Coombe's article brings a justified surprise not only on the importance of Burrow's writings for the foundations of psychoanalysis and group analysis but also on its oblivion. Having as background the Pertegato's book, Coombe undertakes a discussion on epistemology, power, discourse, knowledge, truth and groups in human and social sciences. Indeed, the contact with the destiny of Burrow's work triggers readership's emotions that range from indignation to reflection. Here lies one of the merits of Coombe's article because-without failing to recognize Burrow's pioneering contributions-it allows to 725838G AQ0010.