Creative Skepticism and Affectionate Curiosity: Scholarship, Practice, and Theory-Building in Psychoanalysis

Abstract

This paper appreciates and advocates for scholarship in psychoanalysis. This is not the same as “scientific” research—running experiments, sifting through data, having a lab or control group. What I have in mind is an inclusive attitude of synthesis, curiosity, and constructive skepticism—awareness of historical, political, cultural, and organizational contexts; identifying, questioning, and working one’s way through core assumptions; considering diverse ideas, theories, experiences, and evidence; working toward new constructs to integrate those new ideas; discarding outmoded ideas (even when they have been taken for granted); considering established ideas in light of historical and technological change. This kind of open-minded, ongoing, curious, informed reflection about our convictions and influences generates new resources for theory and clinical work. It can protect and promote imagination, discipline, critical faculties, and overall mental acuity and activity.