From Philosophy to Psychotherapy: A Phenomenological Model for Psychology, Psychiatry, and Psychoanalysis (Heritage) by Hersch Edwin L

Author:Hersch, Edwin L. [Hersch, Edwin L.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing
Published: 2003-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

Discussion of Jeff’s World

‘Jeff’s World’ is meant to illustrate some of the multifaceted and multidimensional qualities to human experience evident even in a simplified version of this boy’s everyday concerns. Jeff’s world is constantly being restructured in terms of what is (relatively) foreground and what is (relatively) background in accordance with his various ongoing projects (or cares). Projects as simple as wanting to pick up some groceries, having to study for exams, and wanting to make social plans for the weekend affect the topography of meanings that describe the horizons of Jeff’s phenomenological (or experiential) world. Yet each of these projects has its own set of anticipated possibilities as well – that is, each can be seen as another ‘dimension’ in describing ‘where he is at’ at present (which must include the convergences of ‘where he’s going’ and ‘where he’s coming from’).

The grocery project has its big store, fruit store, and corner store possibilities. Studying could involve either English or math, though other possibilities are undoubtedly present on a somewhat less reflected-on level of awareness. A weekend date could involve either Julie or Karen, or perhaps even the ephemeral Susan. Some of these particular options are additionally connected with other possibilities (or sets of them). For instance, a date with Julie offers a further imagined scenario involving a movie on Saturday and a café afterwards, whereas one with Karen is linked with a picnic, fruits and nuts, and Sunday.

As if trying not to be outdone by the active anticipations of these future plans for an outing with either Julie or Karen, the somewhat ‘sticky’ and ubiquitous presence of Susan pervades the park and all bicycles in a seemingly ‘less invited’ or more passive/receptive manner. Here, the influence of past experience on present perception is making itself more obvious.

The following up of some possibilities brings to light other ones – in this case such as the desire to watch some of the hockey game on television and the reminder to also buy some hockey stick tape. But what further complicates matters the most is that the various sets of future possibilities afforded to each of the above projects are interacting with those of other projects. Thus, the choice of English as tonight’s subject for study has to do with travelling through ‘Susan park’ and Jeff’s hopes of seeing Susan again; but this choice then gives way to the choice of math when Jeff is confronted with the awful thought of sounding too much like his father. Besides, he then tells himself, math is more conducive to his project of watching part of the hockey game. Similarly, Karen’s assumed fondness for fruit and nuts overlaps with mom’s request for Jeff to pick up some fruit. This powerful alliance of cares suffices (at least momentarily) to banish all thought along the Julie-movie-café-Saturday dimension to the vague periphery of his awareness. The unanticipated noticing of a bicycle at the end of the block is equally capable of rapidly altering the rather fluid horizons of Jeff’s attentions – and indeed his world.

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