Good Feelings

This tightly edited volume opens a new vista in psychoanalysis by focusing upon positive and life-enhancing emotions and attitudes. The realms it covers include love friendship enthusiasm courage tact resilience and forgiveness among others. Seminal papers on these topics have existed but remain scattered throughout the psychoanalytic literature. This book brings them together in a harmonious gestalt. It is more than an anthology however. Each paper is followed by a freshly written commentary that critically evaluates the paper and brings it in consonance with up-to-date contemporary psychoanalytic knowledge. Issues of development adaptation psychopathology and analytic technique as these pertain to the positive dimension of affective experience are elucidated. The book also deals with the broader and overarching issue of the 'goodness' that accompanies causes and is enhanced by the positive emotions in consideration here. Thus the ever-elusive and puzzling issue of psychoanalytic morality finds a place in the discourse with all its rich and complex theoretical and technical implications. Language: English