LITERATURE & HUMANITIES

PHILOSOPHY OF THE ACTUAL

Dr Malcolm Parlett, Editor, British Gestalt Journal, on 16 October 2001

The speaker started by quoting Merleau-Ponty from Phenomenology and Perception. "We must begin by reawakening the basic experience of the world, of which science is a second-order of expression."

Foreswearing science we must return to the things themselves, by phenomenology, that is to say, perception by the senses through immediate experience. Gestalt philosophy and Therapy sought to elicit these immediate phenomena, through experiments, and study how the past affected the client's responses now. And above all impaired their ability to deal with life and their fellow beings, and remain sane in an insane world. Dr. Parlett emphasised the holistic approach, in which the subject was seen as a figure on an equally important ground. This was a post Cartesian concept, consistent with 20th century Existentialism. The so-called `ground' consisted, not only of the environment, but particularly of the feedback from other people upon which the subjects self image was built.

Dr. Parlett then gave an example of his own phenomenological reporting as he was writing. "I am sitting at the table wondering what I shall be typing, I'm noticing the screen in front of me was cluttered, I am aware of my breath. I pause I notice a little buzzing in my ear." All statements were in the present. There was no "could" or "should" no "because". It was reminiscent of the stream of consciousness technique used by Joyce, in Ulysses, and other writers of the time. How did the subject feel after the task had been accomplished? The cycle of awareness continued. Was he satisfied with a job well done, or was there a sense of anticlimax, that doing it was the main experience. Did it feel unfinished, was he thinking of the next project. Was the subject stuck at some point on the cycle?

Malcolm Parlett emphasised the importance of the therapists "bracketing off" their own preconceptions and interpretations of the clients statements respect by self-denying ordinance. But admitted that to avoid one's own material was, in fact impossible, and quoted Perls, "ninety nine percent of perception is imagined reality". Only the present is real, all else is past or anticipated. The "Figure on a Ground' concept with Man a part of environment, was in accord with Darwinian view that man is a part of nature, not separate from it. Respect for client's idiosyncrasies and originality, without judgement, was essential to the therapist's outlook. This also corresponded to the writings of the times, without authorial intrusion or moralisation. The relationship between therapist and client must be an interactive process, or no useful change can take place. This may include a degree of confrontation. Dr. Parlett emphasised the use of experiments to bring phenomena into the present. Experience it now. Take risks. Look and feel, don't think.

Dr. Parlett then discussed the ultimate aims of the therapist, to bring about the necessary "creative adjustment' in the client.

This consisted of five main changes in outlook to empower rather than impair the patient.

Responding by taking responsibility for their own actions as, a free agent, separate from parental influence, although recognising their influence. This was often worked through by experiment, designed to bring out the past not by analysis, but by eliciting present phenomena.

Interrelationships modern life was increasingly impersonal. Difficult to find a safe place, even in marriage? Self image was dependent on others reactions. Intimacy and acceptance necessary to establish self-confidence. The therapist may be the only source of this.

Self Recognising know yourself. Dr. Parlett emphasised that people were capable of massive self-delusion. The aim of therapy was to help the client recognise their true selves, without protective illusions and inappropriate reactions, then develop more adult and empowering adjustments.

Embodying physical awareness. The importance of body language. The mind-body relationship.

Experimenting decision-making in the present. To shake off the past and deal with the present, even if it means taking risks.

These views were all existentialist and optimistic.

Discussion

The discussion started with a basic question as to whether defence mechanisms, protective shells built up by clients in childhood, could be positive as well as negative. Dr. Parlett said this was the case but often creative adjustments could be made to improve clients outlook, remove entrenched impairments, and, by this, empower the client to face the present, to enhance decision making in both
human relations and the outside world. A Psychotherapy training member said past childhood was essential to self-understanding, pure existential approach not enough. Dr. Parlett agreed but said that present responses in the here and now revealed past traumas, as was the aim of the experiments.

Members of the audience seemed particularly interested in the problems of evil. As to whether it was inborn or acquired, and did the perpetrator have a choice. This question often occurred in philosophy sessions as well. Was there such a thing as free will? Dr. Parlett said that he did not think imprisonment and the isolation could possibly be beneficial, or change the psychopathic or criminal outlook, but nor could serious criminals be left safely in the public arena. He also pointed out that, evil of the kind therapists often encounter is perpetrated with a sweet smile, and was psychological rather than physical violence. The convenor pointed out that genetics and brain damage had been found in some extreme criminals, who seemed to lack any conscience.

Peter Valentine