Marco Bacciagaluppi: Paradigms in Psychoanalysis: An Integration

Abstract

c) action is superior (even though it might be delayed and risky) to reaction, which frequently is reflexive and thoughtless, (d) psychopathology results from not developing and/or renouncing self agency, health from exercising it, (e) treatment works only when the analysand dares to act upon the insights gained, and, (f) self-formation and self-preservation are important but so is self-decreation. Without the former, one is "nobody." Without the latter, one is "somebody" who, after a while, might become unrecognizable to even oneself.These are heady lessons indeed. The smattering of unfamiliar words (e.g. "agentive" on p. 8, "originary" and "supervenient" on p. 35, "benumbment" on p. 39, and "plurivocity" on p. 45) notwithstanding, the overall writing is graceful and heartfelt. Corradi Fiumara's Spontaneity is an outstanding contribution to our field. An encounter with it is bound to enrich both theoretical ideation and clinical praxis. It might even be a deeply transformative experience on a personal level.