Building on Bion: Roots and Branches

Building on Bion: Roots This stimulating collection of papers by distinguished international contributors from the fields of psychoanalysis, group analysis, management consultancy and social science explores formative influences affecting Bion's emotional and intellectual development. The authors revisit in depth the origins of Bion's ideas, setting them in the context of his World War I experiences, his contact with Trotter, and his later work with the Tavistock Clinic and psychoanalysis. Chapters discuss the roots of his epistemology, re-examining and extending basic assumption theory; links between Bion and Foulkes; group mentality and Bion in Italy. Through these the spirit and shape of his work can be discovered by those new to Bion, and rediscovered by those who feel well acquainted with him. This is a collection of original and insightful papers which, along with its companion volume Building on Bion: Branches, will not only deepen understanding of Bion's contributions to theory and practice, but will also be invaluable to those who work with groups, in both therapeutic and management contexts. Building on Bion: Branches The enduring influence of Bion's work - the many rich applications of his ideas to group psychology, organizational dynamics and group therapy in the present day and looking to the future - is the central theme of this book. Chapters by distinguished international contributors from the fields of psychoanalysis, group analysis, management consultancy and social science cover work with large groups, Bion and the Tavistock conferences, and his ideas about thinking and learning, dreams and mentality. They clearly demonstrate Bion's originality and passion as he sought the distinctive essence of psychoanalytic learning and how such a pursuit and such learning can be shared and advanced. This is a collection of original and insightful papers which, along with its companion volume Building on Bion: Roots, deepens understanding of Bion's contributions to theory and practice, and is invaluable to those who work with groups, in both therapeutic and management contexts. Building on Bion: Branches: The enduring influence of Bion's work - the many rich applications of his ideas to group psychology, organizational dynamics and group therapy in the present day and looking to the future - is the central theme of this book. Chapters by distinguished international contributors from the fields of psychoanalysis, group analysis, management consultancy and social science cover work with large groups, Bion and the Tavistock conferences, and his ideas about thinking and learning, dreams and mentality. They clearly demonstrate Bion's originality and passion as he sought the distinctive essence of psychoanalytic learning and how such a pursuit and such learning can be shared and advanced. This is a collection of original and insightful papers which, along with its companion volume Building on Bion: Roots, deepens understanding of Bion's contributions to theory and practice, and is invaluable to those who work with groups, in both therapeutic and management contexts.