Kohut's Self Psychology for a Fractured World

'John Riker brilliantly examines Heinz Kohut's ideas of self with the astute eye of the philosopher. Riker, who is thoroughly versed in the literature, picks apart the critics of Kohut and shows how this remarkable psychological thinker offers hope for the healing of the modern soul.' Charles Strozier, author of Heinz Kohut: The Making of a Psychoanalyst and The New World of Self: Heinz Kohut's Transformation of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy 'It is well known that one of the least clearly defined concepts in psychoanalytic self psychology is the concept of the self—until now. With this deeply probing and rigorous treatise on the self from the perspective of a seasoned philosopher who is well versed in Kohut's theories, Riker sets out to correct this deficit. He provides us with a comprehensive account of the structural, functional, and dynamic dimensions of the self which is equally illuminating to those of us who are well versed in self psychology as well as to those readers who want to learn more. Riker does not stop there. He draws on Kohut's ideas, applies them to Plato's Republic, and thereby imaginatively and boldly conceives of a world based on the ideal of empathy and interconnectedness rather than on reason and autonomy alone. It is an illuminating journey and a joy to read.' Peter Zimmermann, PhD, co-author of Intersubjective Self Psychology: A Primer 'What a treasure John Riker is giving to the contemporary intellectual culture with his epic new book! His book is in the rare scale of psychoanalysts like Erik Erikson and Erich Fromm, in their broad visions of the potential power of psychoanalysis to humanity.' Raanan Kulka, founder and director of the Human Spirit-Psychoanalytic-Buddhist Training Institute, Israel