Torture, Psychoanalysis, and Human Rights contributes to the development of that field of study called ‘psycho-social’ that is presently more and more committed to provide understanding of social phenomena, making use of the explicative perspective of psychoanalysis. The book seeks to develop a concise and integrated framework of understanding of torture as a socio-political phenomenon based on psychoanalytic thinking, through which different dimensions of the subject of study become more comprehensible. Monica Luci argues that torture performs a covert emotional function in society. In order to identify what this function might be, a profile of ‘torturous societies’ and the main psychological dynamics of social actors involved – torturers, victims, and bystanders – are drawn from literature. Accordingly, a wide-ranging description of the phenomenology of torture is provided, detecting an inclusive and recurring pattern of key elements. Relying on psychoanalytic concepts derived from different theoretical traditions, including British Object Relations Theories, Relational Psychoanalysis and Analytical Psychology, the study provides an advanced line of conceptual research, shaping a model aimed at grasping the deep meaning of key intrapsychic, interpersonal and group dynamics involved in torture that, taken as a whole, compose a comprehensive picture of the phenomenon. Once a sufficiently coherent understanding has been reached, Luci proposes using it as a groundwork tool in the human rights field to re-think the best strategies of prevention and recovery from post-torture psychological and social suffering. The book initiates dialogue between psychoanalysis and human rights, showing that the proposed psychoanalytic understanding is a viable conceptualisation for expanding thinking of crucial issues regarding torture that might be relevant to human rights and legal doctrine. For example, responsibility of perpetrators, reparation of victims and the question of ‘truth’ in torturous society. Torture, Psychoanalysis, and Human Rights is the first book to build a psychoanalytic theory of torture from which psychological, social and legal reflections as well as practical aspects of treatment can be derived and understood in mutual connection. It will appeal to psychoanalysts, psychoanalytic psychotherapists and Jungians, as well as scholars of politics, social work and justice, and human rights and postgraduate students studying across these fields. Reviews "The strengths of this book are subtle and important. It provides a unique and innovative approach to a painful and topical problem. It creates a new methodological framework combining psychoanalysis and human rights, within the context of the actual realities of working with those who were tortured. It is for these reasons that it represents a substantial contribution to the field. Strongly recommended both to specialists and general readers."-Renos K. Papadopoulos, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Centre for Trauma, Asylum and Refugees, University of Essex, UK. "A striking and original integration of several fields. Monica Luci’s experience, knowledge and vision enable her to locate torture at all points along a line ranging from a vicious, corrupt and oppressive societal phenomenon to clinical work with victims. Hence the book will deeply interest a plurality of readers, ranging from specialists in human rights to therapists of all schools who need guidance and inspiration in this area."-Andrew Samuels, former Chair, UK Council for Psychotherapy and Professor of Analytical Psychology, University of Essex. Table of Contents: Introduction PART ONE: THE PHENOMENON OF TORTURE Chapter 1: Torture: what is it? A definition of the field of inquiry Chapter 2: Torturous societies Chapter 3: Social actors of torture PART TWO: A PSYCHOANALYTIC UNDERSTANDING OF TORTURE Chapter 4: Paradoxical Multiple Self States and Monolithic Self States: Destinies of the Reflective Triangle Chapter 5: The emotional life of torturous societies: Monolithic Societal States Chapter 6: The Splintered Reflective Triangle in bystanders, perpetrators and victims of torture PART THREE: IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Chapter 7: The permissibility of torture Chapter 8: Three fields of application in human rights: responsibility of perpetrators, reparation of victims and the problem of truth About the Author Monica Luci, Ph.D, is an analytical psychologist (member of IAAP) and relational psychotherapist (member of IARPP), with extensive experience in psycho-social assistance and psychotherapeutic work with asylum seekers and refugee survivors of torture. On the issues of survivors of torture and post-traumatic states in psychological assessment, psychotherapy, and research, she has contributed to a number of international conferences and taught in several professional and academic contexts.
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