R.D. Laing and the Politics of Truth

Self, Society and Therapy

Edited By: Theodor Itten, Ron Roberts

£75.99

This collection of essays appraises R.D. Laing’s life, work, brilliance, and frailties. Contributions from colleagues, friends, and clients confirm the enduring relevance of this original, critical voice. This inspiring book will challenge you to rethink your assumptions.

This diverse collection of essays, conversations, reflections and reviews was first published in celebration of the 50th anniversary of R.D. Laing’s masterpiece The Divided Self.…

This diverse collection of essays, conversations, reflections and reviews was first published in celebration of the 50th anniversary of R.D. Laing’s masterpiece The Divided Self. Under the umbrella of the Politics of Truth this new edition confirms Laing as an original practitioner in the healing arts and a succinct, critical and theoretical voice whose relevance has not diminished. In these pages are writings appraising Laing’s life, work, brilliance and frailties, as well as his wide and varied influences. Contributions have come from colleagues, friends and clients, as well as people who never knew him personally, yet deeply appreciate his work. Each is different in tone and character. Each captures something unique about Laing and his work. R.D. Laing (1927-1989) was famous for his empathic perception, sagacious intellect and wisdom of the heart, as well as his rebelliousness and falling from grace. In reading this book you may be challenged to rethink some of your assumptions. We hope that you will find more than a little inspiration.

Theodor Itten (1952) is a retired clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. After 40 years practising in Switzerland, he now lives in Hamburg. In the 1970’s he was educated at Enfield College of Middlesex University London and The City University London, UK, studied Social Anthropology with Francis Huxley and apprenticed in Psychoanalysis with R. D. Laing. He was President of the Swiss Psychotherapeutic Association, from 2008-2011, and a member of BPS / UKCP (British Psychological Society/UK Council for Psychotherapy). His latest publications are: The Art of Silence and Human Behaviour (2020); Rage: Managing an Explosive Emotion (2nd edition. 2021), and co-authored with Ron Roberts: The New Politics of Experience & The Bitter Herbs (2014) Francis Huxley and the Human Condition (2021), Huxley in Haiti: An Album (2022), Psychology after Capitalism (2025).

Ron Roberts, Ph.D. is the author of 17 books (including Psychology and Capitalism; The Off-Modern. Psychology Estranged and Just War. Psychology and Terrorism) and over 60 refereed articles. He has previously held posts at University College London, The Institute of Psychiatry, The Tavistock Institute, St Bartholomew’s Medical College, The London Hospital and King’s College London. He has many years’ experience teaching and practising Re-Evaluation Co-Counselling.

Brent Potter, Ron Roberts, Ljiljana Filipović, Bruce Scott, Phyllis Chesler, Theodor Itten, Anthony David, Courtenay Young, Andrew Feldmar, Brian Evans, Susan Griffin, Hanspeter Gschwend, Voyce Hendrix, Leon Redler, Emmy van Deurzen, Mina Semyon, Christopher Oakley, Murray Gordon, Francis Huxley, Tom Ormay, Benjamin Sünkel-Laing

Hardback

ISBN: 1-0364-4883-5
ISBN13: 978-1-0364-4883-7
Date of Publication: 2025-06-10

Ebook

ISBN: 1-0364-4884-3
ISBN13: 978-1-0364-4884-4
Date of Publication: 2025-06-10

Categories: Social Sciences, Psychology, Psychology, Clinical Psychology

Pages: 365

Subject Codes:

BIC: JM, JMA, MMJT
THEMA: JM, JMA, MKMT

Pages: 365

"For anyone interested in Laing and his ideas, this is a fascinating collection of interviews with the great man, followed by reflections – often warm and occasionally critical – of meetings with him, or of the influence he has had on our thinking today. Half a century after the publication of The Divided Self, this book is a timely reminder of Laing the man, and of his enduring importance."
- Richard Bentall Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Sheffield, UK

R.D. Laing and the Politics of Truth

Hardback

Ebook

Subject Codes:

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