Introduction

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE BY DR. MELVIN SABSHIN inaugurates a new section of the Journal under the title, "Commentary." Articles contained in this section will not be authored by the Journal Editors. They will espouse an original point of view or reflect on an integrative theme. As such, the essays may stir interest, curiosity—but also controversy. In the case of controversy, we welcome members of the psychoanalytic community to submit brief responses that address specific points. It is anticipated that some of your answers will be printed in this new section. Thus, we hope to stimulate open dialogue among varying segments of our membership so that the Journal becomes a forum in which to discuss topics of current interest.

This first presentation aptly addresses the relation of American psychoanalysis to American psychiatry. I can think of no better spokesman than Dr. Sabshin, who is a member of the staff of the American Psychiatric Association and who is also a psychoanalyst. Publication of this paper in the Journal does not represent an espousal of his point of view, but surely is a testimony to his right to have a wider public audience—the readers of the Journal. In the future, contributions by prominent figures in and outside of psychoanalysis will appear in this section, and they will be as wide-ranging as possible. We shall consider integrative articles from workers in other disciplines who can enrich the analytic community with their vantage point. We