Customer Reviews

Different Existence: Principles of Phenomenological Psychopathology

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For those looking for an accurate and concrete introduction to phenomenological psychopathology, this book is probably the best way to go. Van den Berg is a pretty good phenomenologist, and has a very down-to-earth yet evokative descriptive style that, while sometimes frustratingly vague, can also be quite revealing. Unfortunately, Van den Berg spends a bit too much of his time talking about patients' relationships with the physical world and almost no time speaking of the structure of their interpersonal relationships, making his interpretations sometimes seem strangely decontextualized and a bit off the mark. Still, this is a neat little book that can can be quite helpful when one is trying to get an intuitive and nontechnical grasp of phenomenological psychopathology.

This is one of the most under-rated phenomenology books available. On first read it appears simplistic, but this is both its charm and power. Phenomenology is not complex - it is very simple. It is seeing (or hearing etc) what is there - before any interpretation. And this is perhaps the difficult part - engaging with things without intepreting them.

This book must be re-read and then it can be mindblowing. And many of todays 'stars' - like Hillman and Sardello owe van den Berg a large debt. Also try his other books, particularly 'Changing Nature of Man' and 'Divided Existence and Complex Society'.