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Wilfred Bion died in Oxford on 8 November 1979 less than a week after he was diagnosed as suffering from myeloid leukaemia. The content of this book was approved by him in 1978.
The two series of discussions form an illuminating contrast: The 1978 South American visit was Bion's third to São Paulo and fourth to Brazil; his method of presenting his subject was, therefore, familiar to those taking part. The visit to New York in 1977 was his first.
It must be admitted that for those looking for cut-and-dried ‘answers’ Bion's method was inexplicable, frustrating and aggravating. Here was a man, thoroughly conversant with his subject, exceptionally articulate and therefore well able to supply questioners with what they wanted to hear – and he knew it. But he was steadfast in his respect for the truth and would not be persuaded against his better judgement to follow a course in which he could not respect himself. He believed that “La réponse est le malheur de la question”; both in his professional and private life problems stimulated in him thought and discussion – never answers. His replies – more correctly, counter-contributions – were, in spite of their apparent irrelevance, an extension of the questions. His point of view is best illustrated in his own words: “I don't know the answers to these questions – I wouldn't tell you if I did. I think it is important to find out for yourselves”
“I try to give you a chance to fill the gap left by me”; “I don't think that my explanation matters. What I would draw attention to is the nature of the problem”.
“When I feel a pressure – I'd better get prepared in case you ask
me some questions – I say, ‘To hell with it, I'm not going to look up this stuff in Freud or anywhere else, or even in my past statement – I'll put up with it’. But of course I am asking you to put up with it too“.
Francesca Bion