September 2018 Scientific Meeting

 
This special September Scientific Meeting, held on a Friday (September 7th), will explore questions about human nature, human happiness, and the ethical implications of psychoanalytic treatment. Philosopher Brad Cokelet (University of Kansas) will orient discussion with a short lecture on Ancient Greek theories of human nature and way these theories shaped Plato's and Aristotle's accounts of good character and the good, happy life. Brad and Jeff Eaton (MA, FIPA) will then begin a group dialogue, focused on three questions: How does psychoanalysis challenge Greek understandings of human nature? Can a psychoanalytic understanding of human nature provide us with appealing accounts of good character and the good life? How might psychoanalysis aim to facilitate good character development?

Brad writes: Like his teacher Plato, Aristotle taught that to really flourish as a human being, you need to harmonize the potentially conflicting parts of your human psyche and thereby develop good ethical character. These views are founded on deep assumptions about human nature and our shared human potentials - assumptions that are both attractive and contentious, not least because they are more optimistic than the pessimistic Judeo-Christian views that dominate much of western thought. This lecture introduces Greek views of human nature, flourishing, and good character and puts them into conversation with psychoanalytic views. First, I argue that psychoanalysis raises distinctive doubts about Aristotle's and Plato's theories of human nature. Second, I explore related psychoanalytic doubts about Greek accounts of psychic harmony leading to human flourishing and good character. Third, and more positively, I consider how things might look if we subbed in a psychoanalytic account of human nature for the Greek ones. Specifically, I ask: Can we expect psychoanalytic treatment to facilitate positive (ethical) character change and flourishing? If so, does this lead to an implicit critique of moralistic views, which associate ethical development with the efficient operation of a strong super-ego?

Recommended reading will be emailed to all who preregister for this event.

Learning objectives:

1. Participants will acquire a basic understanding of Greek views of human nature and the parts of the soul.

2. Participants will gain a basic understanding of Greek views about ethical development and human flourishing.

3. Participants will help identify the assumptions that psychoanalytic theory and practice make about human nature and human flourishing.

4. Participants will be invited to think together about the ethical aspirations and implications of psychoanalysis - to explore questions about whether psychoanalysis can and should aim to facilitate good character development.

About the presenter

Bradford Cokelet, PhD teaches at the University of Kansas. His primary research is on virtue, ethics, and the good life. He works with psychologists to understand and measure good character traits, writes and teaches contemporary philosophic ethics (including medical ethics), and is committed to opening up cross-cultural dialogue between eastern and western philosophers. Brad has a long-standing interest in psychoanalysis and was honored to become an ethics advisor to NPSI in 2018.

Location: NPSI at 2701 First Avenue, Suite 120
Seattle, WA 98121
(next door to Chase Bank)

Time: 7:00-7:30 pm: Socializing
7:30-9:00 pm: Presentation

To register as an NPSI candidate, or if you have questions, email the NPSI administrator at admin@npsi.us.com.