The book explores the fundamental tension between Freud's focus on interpretation and Ferenczi's emphasis on experiencing trauma. It posits that this conflict is crucial to current psychoanalytic discussions, suggesting that a deeper understanding of trauma's role in psychoanalysis can illuminate contemporary debates. By revisiting these foundational ideas, the author aims to highlight their relevance in modern psychoanalytic practice and theory.
Focusing on Michael Balint's life and theories, the book delves into his role in preserving Ferenczi's analytic traditions in Budapest before introducing them to London. His contributions significantly influenced the Independent Group's theoretical framework and clinical practices, highlighting the evolution of psychoanalytic thought in the 20th century.
Today sees the rise of nationalism, the return of totalitarian parties in Europe to electoral success, and the rise of the alt-right and white supremacists in the US. Psychoanalyst Jonathan Sklar brings his understanding of cruelty, sadomasochism, perversion, and other mental mechanisms to shine a light on what has led to this. Unlike most current news outlets, Sklar goes against the grain of brief sound bites, which are an aid to pass quickly over painful knowledge. Instead, he goes into detail to give extremely dark occurrences, and the human beings affected, respect and understanding. This gives the reader the ability to make unconscious things more conscious, highlighting the quality of humanity in human beings. Listening to these stories enables us to become more aware. By ridding ourselves of the illusions of our political times, we can find greater freedom to think, develop, challenge, and create hope, for the future of our children and our grandchildren, as well as for ourselves. Dark Times is a timely, thought-provoking, and, at times, upsetting work that is a must-read for all those looking for a deeper understanding of today’s world.
Psychoanalysis is a valuable tool to add to the sciences and the arts: all contain unconscious hidden depths that can become insight and understanding and contribute to humanity as culture. Using the prism of art, music, and storytelling, Jonathan Sklar takes psychoanalytic thought to a wide audience to enable a greater understanding of humanity.