UNDECIDABLE EMOTIONS (WHAT IS SOCIAL THERAPY? AND HOW IS IT REVOLUTIONARY?)

Abstract

Developments in the foundations of mathematics, in particular, Gödel's undecidability proof are brought to bear on group therapy, social therapy, and human emotionality. The pre-Gödelian notion that the group is nothing more than the sum total of its individual members fosters the positivistic position that what is happening in a group is decidable or determinable. In contrast, it is argued that groups, like formalized mathematics, are undecidable. This point and its therapeutic implications are expanded upon through a discussion of the group practice of social therapy. Examples of social therapy group activity are provided to illustrate the methodological and philosophical character of the therapy, and in particular, the importance of creative unresolvability to emotional growth.