Discussions

Dr. Eckardt's defense of the detachment of present-day man is not only a most humane endeavor, but is also delivered in the spirit of a contribution toward the advancement of psychoanalytic thought. The problem of detachment-attachment is crucial in our times and it has caused considerable misunderstanding among the members of the profession. Unfortunately, in the course of our exploration of this vital problem, certain misconceptions have arisen among us which may prove harmful. I believe that several of these misconceptions occur in Dr. Eckardt's otherwise excellent paper.

I agree with Dr. Eckardt that the meaning of conflicts in our lives stands in need of re-examination. Although it is certainly true that we suffer through conflicts, it is not so much the elimination of conflicting trends that is necessary as the disavowal of their incompatibility. It is in fact, our very desertion from the battlefield of raging conflicts, our about-face disinvolvement, the very act of self-alienation that is pernicious.

Self-acceptance within the many phases of existence—be they healthy or sick—is the first premise of success. It should be used as a guide in the pursuit of wholesome integration.

To be sure, introspection for the sake of self-awareness is a most difficult undertaking, although sometimes the most rewarding one. The concept of externalization surely has its validity. We can benefit therapeutically from it by taking back to ourselves whatever has been unduly ascribed to another person.

However, there is another question that must be posed. What is it that either grows or withers between man and man? We have yet to map adequately the emotional cosmos of the world we have in common. The dimensions of dialogue have not yet been sufficiently tapped as a source of growth.

Dr. Eckardt does apply her great sensitivity to finding sources of strength in this dimension of betweeness. This is quite a different approach from that of only observing the phenomenon, or even trying to