BSHS conference: Psychoanalysing Robert Boyle
Psychoanalysing Robert Boyle
12 July 1997, Birkbeck College, University of London
A BSHS (British Society for the History of Science) conference
organised by Professor Michael Hunter
One of the challenges for historical biographers is to decide how far
it is appropriate or legitimate to attempt to psychoanalyse their
subject. The matter is further complicated by the lack of unanimity
among contemporary psychoanalysts, who are ranged in a bewildering
variety of disparate schools. This conference aims to confront such
dilemmas, while at the same time advancing historical understanding.
It will be focussed on a single figure, the scientist Robert Boyle
(1627-91), who has recently been the subject of intensive
biographical study. Three psychotherapists, representing the current
schools in British psychoanalysis, have agreed to participate: John
Clay (Jungian), Karl Figlio (Kleinian) and Brett Kahr (Freudian).
Each has been provided with a uniform dossier of biographical
information about Boyle; they have been invited to request any
further information which seemed to them relevant, all of which has
been circulated to all of them. On this basis, they will each present
a psychoanalytical portrait of Boyle, following an introduction by
Michael Hunter in which the rationale of the exercise will be more
fully outlined. The conference will end with a discussion session in
which teh various contributions will be discussed and the issues that
arise assessed. In all, this unprecedented exercise should make for
an exciting day, which will be of wide significance for the mutual
relations between psychoanalysis and historical biography.
Programme
Harkness Hall, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street,
London, WC1E 7HX
Saturday 12 July 1997
10.30 Enrolment and coffee
11.00 Michael Hunter (Birkbeck College): Introduction
12.00 Brett Kahr (School of Psychotherapy, Regent's College):
A Freudian Perspective
13.00 Break for lunch. Those attending will be expected to make
their own arrangements for lunch. There are various
restaurants, pubs, etc in the Bloomsbury area.
14.15 John Clay (BAP, Biographer of R.D. Laing, 1996)
A Jungian Perspective
15.15 Karl Figlio (Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies, University of
Essex):
A Kleinian Perspective
16.15 General Discussion
16.45 Tea
To register, please complete the following form and send it
to:
Wing-Commander G. Bennett,
31 High Street,
Stanford-in-the-Vale,
Faringdon, OXON, SN7 8LH
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Psychoanalysing Robert Boyle
Please register me for this meeting on 12 July 1997
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______ tickets @ 4.50 pounds (students and retired)
______ tickets @ 7.50 pounds (non-members)
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