Psychopathology: Theory and Practice

07 May 2020 – Gabrielle Rifkind

“Global psychopathology – how war monsters people” – why empathy fails in the conditions of war and how a theory of managing radical differences has more to offer.  War creates the conditions for human regression. The conflict parties have often done terrible things to each other. These are not the conditions for self-awareness. Instead, it is far more likely to find the parties in a deep state of denial, particularly as to the horrors they have committed on the enemy, and the suffering they have caused their own people by not finding a solution earlier. This kind of denial often creates a rigid mindset where the leadership needs to believe in the rightness of their cause. Within this state of mind there are a number of psychological states and interests which will be obstructive to peace making. What can be done?