Posted by Ginny on May 30, 2000, at 13:34:17
In reply to So, what's your point?, posted by bob on May 29, 2000, at 21:42:30
Dear bob,
“So, what’s your point?”
My primary point, plainly stated, was to question and challenge the validity of Freudian (broadly construed) analysis. I view this to be an issue of practical (that is, non-academic) consequence to psychiatric patients.
Your remarks regarding linguistics, epistemology, philosophy of science, cosmology, physics, and truth with a capital “T” are irrelevant to my primary point and illogical, to boot, and not something I have any interest in discussing. You contend, essentially, that the insolubility of the ultimate mysteries of the universe somehow prevents me from forming a reasonable judgement about the validity or potential benefit of a psychiatric therapy; that because we cannot know everything, then we cannot know anything. Nonsense.
Imagine a psychology that theorizes the existence of unseen z-waves, which z-waves can affect one’s mind and cause depression; and that such effects can be measured and corrected by means of a therapeutic mechanical device called z-meter (I don’t know squat about Scientology, but I think it contains a theory along these lines). Assume such therapy is expensive and time-consuming. Assume that the z-wave therapy is one of a menu of therapy options (make up your own menu). Among the myriad factors that go into a decision whether to pursue such z-therapy, isn’t it perfectly, obviously legitimate to question: excuse me for asking, but is there really any such thing as z-waves? Does your z-meter really work, Boss? I want to avoid word-games here, so if the word “truth” is problematic, choose your own phrasing: Does the theory make sense? Does the therapy work? Are the premises correct? Can they be explained in terms understandable to a reasonably educated and thoughtful patient? I’m not asking for Truth here, I just want to avoid wasting my time and money on an ineffective therapy. Wouldn’t lack of scientific evidence of the existence of z-waves tend to send you in search of an alternative therapy?
Now imagine a psychology that theorizes the existence of an unseen thing, a quality, a space, a dynamic, a phenomenon in your mind called “the unconscious.” Excuse me for asking, but . . . .
I don’t pretend to have the human mind entirely figured out. My point is attenuated: Freudian theory is mistaken. Furthermore, I would agree with you that efficacy trumps, or precedes, understanding. Nobody has any idea how or why ECT “works,” but I can testify that it saved my bacon.
As for the bulk of your message, I assume that addressing the message to “you” is merely your style of discourse. Otherwise, you are attributing to me assertions that I never came close to making.
Happy days,
Ginny
poster:Ginny
thread:34863
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000526/msgs/35241.html