Against Catastrophism

Cosimo Schinaia is a training and supervising psychoanalyst of SPI (Italian Psychoanalytic Society), a full member of the IPA, and former director of his book Department of Mental Health in Central Genoa. He received the IPA Climate Award in 2023 for his interests and studies on the relationships between psychoanalysis and ecology. His books On Paedophilia, Psychoanalysis and Architecture, Psychoanalysis and Ecology, and Outsider Art and Psychoanalytic Psychiatry are also published by Routledge and have been translated in many languages.

“To read these essays is to engage in an exciting conversation with eminent psychoanalysts and academic scholars on the global impact of rapidly increasing climate change affecting every aspect of our existence---from economic stability and food accessibility to physical health and mental stability. The authors address our intrapsychic resistances of denial and disavowal, with their compensatory fantasies of omnipotent control over nature; but also the catastrophic paralyses we experience when defenses fail. This book invites readers to join in a new narrative that acknowledges the truth but also offers hope for next generation stakeholders.” - Bonnie E. Litowitz, Ph.D.; Editor-in Chief Emerita, Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association (JAPA); editor (with Glen Gabbard and Paul Williams), Textbook of Psychoanalysis, 2nd & 3rd Editions; faculty, Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, retired“This book explores the concept of catastrophism, that today refers to the tendency to exaggerate dangers, which hampers the response to the global environmental crisis. With brilliant and clear contributions from psychoanalysts, economists, food scientists and anthropologists, the text criticizes the paralysis caused by fear and the media, and proposes a new narrative that promotes ecosystem regeneration and a sustainable future. The book urges overcoming inaction through a culture that combines individual creativity with collective commitment, and offers valuable insights not only for psychotherapists but for anyone interested in psychoanalysis and the humanities.” - Giuseppe Civitarese, MD, PhD; member, SPI, APsaA, IPA; author, On Arrogance: A Psychoanalytic Essay (Routledge)“I especially recommend reading this book, which displays a topic of pressing relevance with seriousness and commitment that make it a truly necessary text.” - Dr Hilda Catz, PhD; full member, IPA, FEPAL; director, Psychoanalysis and Society of the Argentine Psychoanalytic Association; visual artist and writer“If we needed an original, direct, nuanced psychoanalytic inquiry into the dangers of catastrophic thinking, most notably with regard to the desecration of planet earth, this book is it. Cosimo Schinaia has brought together a first-rate group of authors to engage in disentangling catastrophism from creativity, radical hope, essential inter-dependence and psychic growth in times of great difficulty, through a series of dazzling essays. This book is of great relevance to us all.” - Paul Williams, member, Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California; Joint Editor-in-Chief, The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 2001-2007 “This collection of essays passionately argues for a creative hope to confront the catastrophism of today. In the face of pending global destructivity, each author thoughtfully explores how psychoanalysis can authentically challenge the drastic warnings of our time.” - Jan Abram, President, European Psychoanalytical Society; author, The Surviving Object: Psychoanalytic clinical essays on psychic survival-of-the-object

• List of contributorsPresentationCosimo Schinaia CHAPTER 1“Hope in a Changing World between Individual Creativity and Collective Working Through”Cosimo SchinaiaCHAPTER 2“Radical Hope”Gohar HomayounpourCHAPTER 3“A Changing World: Psychoanalysis between Catastrophe and Hope”Alfredo Lombardozzi CHAPTER 4“Catastrophic Fossil Culture and Other Desires of Relatedness”Mauro Van AkenCHAPTER 5“Illusory Immunity and Actual Inhumanity”Ronny Jaffè CHAPTER 6“Catastrophe versus Catastrophic Change. Between Psychoanalysis and Art”Luca Caldironi CHAPTER 7“Climate Change and Adolescence: A Dangerous Collusion of internal and External Catastrophe”Christine FranckxCHAPTER 8“Birth is not Destiny”Orazio AttanasioCHAPTER 9“Our Food Future”Attilio GiacosaCHAPTER 10“Pushing Back on Catastrophism: The Case for a New Nature Narrative”Mark HalleCHAPTER 11“Catastrophism and Media Catastrophic Images”Cosimo Schinaia