In praise of edges, with a nod to the edgy

ABSTRACT

In this Keynote paper presentation, the author takes on a wide-ranging and deep exploration of edges as a central concept to Self-Psychology. From natural edges to psychoanalytic edges, from the consulting room to the field of psychoanalysis, from the origin of Kohut’s Self Psychology to present-day creative, and at times, maverick contemporary thinking, the author traces a history tinged with an edginess made up of giftedness and historical trauma which, together, raise important questions for us to consider. As was the case for many émigré analysts during World War II, the author sees Kohut’s immensely creative life dependent on his ability to erect and maintain a caesura regarding the impact of the Holocaust. The author suggests that Kohut’s last gift to us, his last bit of edginess, is his challenge to us to contend with the shadow of his hidden pain and its implications on contemporary creative thinking and practice. To do otherwise would compromise our creative edges and lose a part of Kohut in the process.

KEYWORDS:

• Creative edge
• edginess
• émigré
• forward edge
• Holocaust
• Kohut
• self-psychology

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Elizabeth Corpt

Elizabeth Corpt, MSW, LICSW is a psychoanalyst, President Emerita of the Massachusetts institute for Psychoanalysis, where she continues to serve as a supervising analyst and faculty member. A recent Editor Emerita of Psychoanalysis, Self and Context, she has published and presented on clinical generosity, relational ethics, and social class as it pertains to the practice and teaching of psychoanalysis. She maintains a private practice in Arlington, MA.