BJAA Summer Gathering

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The Summer Gathering in its entirety is a BJAA members only event. However Stefano Carpani’s presentation is open to the public and to members from the wider bpf community who are warmly invited to attend online via the Zoom link. 

For full venue details including parking, transport and directions please click here.

9:30 - 11:00: BJAA Business Meeting
11:00 - 11:30: Coffee Break
11:30 - 1:00: Presentation: The Age of Hypocrisy and War as Reset presented by Stefano Carpani, chaired by Emilija Kiehl
1:00 - 1:15: Celebratory Toasts
1:15 - 2:15: Lunch (Catering will be provided by the venue)

 

The Age of Hypocrisy and War as Reset presented by Stefano Carpani, chaired by Emilija Kiehl

Abstract:
This presentation delves into the intricate relationship among war, societal shifts, and psychological perspectives, drawing insights from Homer, C.G. Jung, and early 20th-century literary figures. Examining the narratives of writers such as Joseph Roth, Paul Valéry, and William B. Yeats, the paper argues that war symbolizes the end of an era – a loss of dignity and integrity, resulting in a world characterized by disorder and decay. Addressing psychosocial facets, it explores the decline of spirituality and the emergence of technological advancements as contributors to societal shifts. Central to the analysis are Jung’s insights into the pre-World War I era, framing war as a manifestation of deteriorating spiritual quality and the ascent of a “godless movement.” The paper investigates how the loss of spirituality parallels the decline of civilizations, fostering a chaotic and war-prone world. A central theme is the exploration of war as an expression of hopelessness and helplessness, marked by hedonism, decadence, and a loss of societal values. Drawing parallels between the interwar years in Berlin and Vienna, and contemporary society, the paper scrutinizes the superficial embrace of hedonistic trends, emphasizing the need for meaningful reflection and meditation in an age dominated by hyper-individualization. In conclusion, this paper offers a multidimensional exploration of war, portraying it not solely as a historical and political phenomenon but also as a psychological and spiritual reset mechanism. It underscores the intricate interplay between human nature, societal dynamics, and the evolving contours of modernity.

About the speaker

Stefano Carpani, Ph.D. is an Italian psychoanalyst and sociologist based in Berlin, Germany, where he maintains a private clinical practice and also sees clients online. He is a Training Analyst and lecturer at the C.G. Jung Institute Zürich, serves as a scientific consultant to Pacifica Graduate Institute in the United States, and is a regular contributor to the Italian national newspaper La Stampa, where he writes on psychosocial themes. He is the founder and curator of Jungianeum: Initiatives for Contemporary Analytical Psychology and Neo-Jungian Studies, a multifaceted project that includes an independent publishing house, two book series, the international digital platform Psychosocial Wednesdays, and the JUNGIANEUM/Biennale conference.

His books include:

Breakfast at Küsnacht: Conversations on C.G. Jung and Beyond (Chiron, 2020 – IAJS Best Edited Book nominee),
Anthology of Contemporary Classics in Analytical Psychology: The New Ancestors (Routledge, 2022 – GRADIVA Award nominee),
Absolute Freedom: Individuation and Individualization in Second-Late-Modern Societies (Routledge, 2024),
War as Reset (forthcoming, Routledge, 2025).

He also curates the book series Routledge Introductions to Contemporary Analytical Psychology and Neo-Jungian Studies.

About the chair

Emilija Kiehl, MSc., is a Jungian Analyst in private practice in London. She is a training and supervising analyst, former Chair of the British Jungian Analytic Association (BJAA), and senior member of the British Psychotherapy Foundation (BPF).

Emilija is a former Honorary Secretary and Vice President of the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP). She is on the board of the Journal of Analytical Psychology (JAP). She lectures, teaches, and supervises in the UK and abroad.

*If you are a psychotherapist or counsellor residing in an active conflict zone, you are eligible to attend this event free of charge (regardless of whether you are a bpf member or not). Please email events@bpf-psychotherapy to enquire about a ticket.