Why do psychopaths exert such fascination? Do Eros and morality have some kind of connection with psychopathy? Are those feelings part of something in us that allows the most violent kind in our society to kill easily, or is there a recognition that we, too, have a touch of the psychopath lurking in us at all times? Yet in the popular mind, psychopathy only describes a disorder of the aggressive, antisocial criminal. The author reviews the field, gives an explanation of the main symptoms, suggests an approach to treatment, and then presents a new vision: psychopathy is not so much a deficiency of morality as it is crippled Eros.
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About the Author
Adolf Guggenbühl-Craig is past President of both the Jung Institute in Zürich and the International Association of Analytical Psychology. He lives in Zürich, Switzerland.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is astonishing! It is a simple masterpiece. The author has given an amazing account of different types of psychopaths in the short, but oh so sweet, book.
Guggenbuhl-Craig should write more books. His style is amazing- it is easy to comprehend and extremely intelligent.
I applaud this book and its author. This is one of the best books on the subject I have ever read. Should get 10 Stars!!!
Guggenbuhl-Craig should write more books. His style is amazing- it is easy to comprehend and extremely intelligent.
I applaud this book and its author. This is one of the best books on the subject I have ever read. Should get 10 Stars!!!
11 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was more than a bit surprised at the glowing reviews for this book. The awkward writing will tip you off that this is a translated book. And the absence of references or a bibliography reveals a lack of scholarly rigor. I was first struck by a statement on page 68, made with a degree of certainty that is neither warranted nor substantiated by research. Citing the work of Manfred Bleuler, he writes "They do not become psychopaths because their mothers reject them but the other way around." This `they were born defective' theory appears to be derived from his ex post facto observations done at the Burghölzli asylum in Zurich. It is significant to note that his theory dovetails nicely with the work of his father, Eugen Bleuler, a proponent of eugenics in Nazi Germany. (see International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, 4 (1993) 133-148)
Contrast this with the results of several psychological studies ("Becoming Attached", Robert Karen, pg 60)
[...] Levy writing about adopted children who were deceitful and eerily detached; Bender reporting on psychopathic-like children who had been in a series of foster care and adoptive homes; Bakwin, Goldfarb, and Spitz warning about the psychiatric damage done to institutionalized babies [...] they unanimously found the same symptoms in children deprived of their mothers
I did find some value in the later chapters, where Guggenbuhl-Craig details the symptoms and includes references to the "compensated psychopath." It was in the final chapters, though, where he discusses the Jungian concept of the "shadow" and how there is a bit of psychopath in all of us, that I found most compelling.
Finally, I would caution that certainty in the field of psychological research will only come about when we can know the *complete* experience of a human being. Right now, most research (necessarily) relies heavily on the hearsay of caretakers. To claim objectivity from this group ignores the vested interest that they have in portraying themselves as loving and blameless.
Contrast this with the results of several psychological studies ("Becoming Attached", Robert Karen, pg 60)
[...] Levy writing about adopted children who were deceitful and eerily detached; Bender reporting on psychopathic-like children who had been in a series of foster care and adoptive homes; Bakwin, Goldfarb, and Spitz warning about the psychiatric damage done to institutionalized babies [...] they unanimously found the same symptoms in children deprived of their mothers
I did find some value in the later chapters, where Guggenbuhl-Craig details the symptoms and includes references to the "compensated psychopath." It was in the final chapters, though, where he discusses the Jungian concept of the "shadow" and how there is a bit of psychopath in all of us, that I found most compelling.
Finally, I would caution that certainty in the field of psychological research will only come about when we can know the *complete* experience of a human being. Right now, most research (necessarily) relies heavily on the hearsay of caretakers. To claim objectivity from this group ignores the vested interest that they have in portraying themselves as loving and blameless.
By Learch
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was one of three books recommended by a Psychologist who helped me to understand my wife. This was also recommended by others during that time. She had every secondary trait, almost as if she was the subject of this book. It sure as heck helped me protect myself. Highly recommended.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't be fooled by the cover
THis book was one of the best written on the subject I have read. I was interesting and easy to read. Read more
Published on December 5, 2009 by Jacqueline M. Seiwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brutally honest depiction
Provides a clear view into the world of the sociopath/psychopath... a great read for anyone interested in human behavior.
Published on February 13, 2009 by J. P. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful working about mattes of psychopath
the emptied soul is about the nature of psychopath and here we find some connection with psychopathy the eros and morality.Wonderful working from a very good pychologist.
Published on May 28, 2007 by G. A. Taprantzis
2.0 out of 5 stars
Less than compelling
Any belief system seems opaque to outsiders. Psychoanalysis was a very important step towards understanding and treating psychological problems but we have mostly left it behind,... Read more
Published on March 15, 2006 by B. Hastie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deep Insight
This book presents a distinctly different look at the questions posed about the nature of psychopathy, and society's response to it. Read more
Published on March 11, 2006 by N. Ritter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Open Letter To Mr. Hillman
This is a good start! I hope they get together for part two! Mr. Hillman I enjoyed this tape verymuch! But It stoped in the middle of a thought. One tape is not enough! Read more
Published on February 22, 2001 by Aragorn
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