In his latest book Christopher Bollas uses detailed studies of real clinical practice to illuminate a theory of psychoanalysis which privileges the human impulse to question. From earliest childhood to the end of our lives, we are driven by this impulse in its varying forms, and The Infinite Question illustrates how Freud''s free associative method provides both patient and analyst with answers and, in turn, with an ongoing interplay of further questions.
At the book''s core are transcripts of real analytical sessions, accompanied by parallel commentaries which highlight key aspects of the free associative method in practice. These transcripts are contextualised by further discussion of the cases themselves, as well as a wider theoretical framework which places its emphasis on Freud''s theory of the logic of sequence: by learning to listen to this free associative logic, Bollas argues, we can discover a richer and more complex unconscious voice than if we rely solely on Freud''s theory of repressed ideas.
Bollas demonstrates, in an eloquent and persuasive manner, how the Freudian position of evenly suspended attentiveness enables the analyst''s unconscious to catch the drift of the patient''s own unconscious. He also shows that to stimulate further questioning is often of more benefit to the analytical process than to jump to an interpretation. Yet whatever fascinating course a session may take, neither the patient nor the analyst can halt the progress of the self-propelling interrogative drive.
The Infinite Question will be invaluable to both the new student and the experienced psychoanalyst, read either on its own or as a practice-based extension of the theoretical ideas elaborated in its companion volume, The Evocative Object World (also published by Routledge).
Industry Reviews
Praise for Bollas' previous publications: 'A unique and remarkable book! one of the most interesting and important new books on psychoanalysis! in the last decade.' - International Journal of Psychoanalysis 'There is much in this book that is wise, clinically perceptive, and thought-provoking.' -Psychoanalytic Quarterly 'A very creative illustration of his work with patients as well as ideas.' - American Journal of Psychiatry 'Regardless of your analytic orientation, you will enjoy Bollas' writing immensely, because it is so clinically provocative.' - Psychologist Psychoanalyst 'This work is the product of an astute clinician who is as well a creative thinker and evocative writer. The reader will have the privilege of watching such a mind 'at play', and will be drawn to join the author in free exploration of new ideas.' - Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association 'I appreciate Bollas ability and courage--and I would say lust--to cross the borders into different fields in a creative and playful way and to see art, creativity, and spirituality as a prerequisite for compassionate living. Universe expands!' - International Forum of Psychoanalysis 'It is a joy to read a book where one is happy to read a paragraph or a page over and over again because of the wealth of meaning that comes with each reading.' - Counselling 'In an era of considerable redundancy in the psychoanalytic literature, Christopher Bollas continues to be a fresh voice!The originality of the author's content is matched by his unique and evocative prose style.' - Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic 'These thoughtful essays urge us to deepen our wisdom about the human condition and the endeavor of psychoanalysis. Bollas leads the analytic debate into the realm of reverie, and he succeeds brilliantly in extracting from our elusive subjectivity a compassionate grasp of how we may, or may not, connect with one another.' - Modern Psychoanalysis 'Bollas will take you on a journey that you will not soon forget.' - American Journal of Psychotherapy
