Melanie Klein is one of the few analysts whose body of work has inspired sociologists, philosophers, religious scholars, literary critics and political theorists, all attracted to the cross-fertilisation of her ideas. Other Banalities represents a long over-due exploration of her legacy, including contributions from acclaimed interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners.
The contributors situate Klein within the history of the psychoanalytic movement, investigate her key theoretical and clinical advances, and look at how her thought has informed contemporary perspectives in the behavioural sciences and humanities. Topics covered range from Klein’s major psychological theories to clinical pathology, child development, philosophy, sociology, politics, religion, ethics and aesthetics.
This volume reflects the auspicious future for Kleinian revivalism and demonstrates the broad relevance of Kleinian thought. It will be of great interest to scholars and practitioners of psychology, psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.
Introduction Jon Mills, Who Wants to be a Scientist? The Historical and Psychoanalytic Context at the Start of Klein’s Career: circa 1918-1921, R.D. Hinshelwood, Klein on Human Nature Michael Rustin, Destruction and Madness Michael Eigen, Projective Identification Robert Maxwell Young, Precious Illusions: Re-Constructing Realities Marilyn Charles, Klein’s Theory of the Positions Revisited James S. Grotstein, Hegel on Projective Identification: Implications for Klein, Bion, and Beyond Jon Mills, Childhood Play as Tragic Drama Walter A. Davis, Metaphor and the Relationality of Meaning Keith Haartman, Kleinian Theory is Natural Law Theory C. Fred Alford
Biography
Jon Mills is a psychologist, philosopher and psychoanalyst in private practice in Ajax, Ontario, Canada. He is Diplomate in Psychoanalysis and Clinical Psychology with the American Board of Professional Psychology, Director of Curriculum Development, Adler School of Graduate Studies, and is President of the Section on Psychoanalysis of the Canadian Psychological Association. Professor Jon Mills is the recipient of the 2014 CPA Weininger Award for Lifetime Contributions to Psychoanalysis and/or Psychodynamic Psychology.
"… in Other Banalities, Jon Mills’s brilliant collection of essays, the Kleinian context is presented with scholarship, texture and diversity… I hopefully have provided a taste [referring to review] that will whet the intellectual appetite of the reader and result in a more fully detailed and personal reading of this impressive book." – Richard Raubolt, Psychologist-Psychoanalyst, APA Division 39 Newsletter, Winter 2009
