Power of Being a Subject

Matthew H. Bowker, PhD, is the author of more than 20 books and more than 40 papers on psychoanalysis and political theory. He teaches at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

"In this honest, probing, and inspiring book, Dr. Matthew H. Bowker sheds light on a life of greater authenticity, bravery, and freedom. The Power of Being a Subject will be of interest to anyone yearning to transform legacies of trauma and suffering, escape from unconscious internal and societal forces and self-defeating patterns, and live a more creative and empathic life."Jeffrey B. Rubin, PhD, Psychoanalyst, American Institute of Psychoanalysis and Object Relations Institute"This is fascinating study of subjectivity and its relation to one's self. It is also a powerful and moving account of Bowker's own struggle with subjectivity and its impact on both his personal and professional life. An intense and scholarly inquiry into this critical idea and what its pursuit means for our day-to-day lives, Bowker's book is a must read."James M. Glass, PhD, Professor Emeritus, University of Maryland, College Park"Dr. Bowker’s book is perhaps best described as an intimate ‘travelogue,’ something akin to an innerscape version of Mark Twain’s remote journeys. Weaving ideas with personal reflections, Dr. Bowker takes an honest claim to the title of 'poet-philosopher' or 'philosopher-poet.' "Dan Livney, PsyD, Psychologist in private practice

• Part I: Realities and Myths 1. States of Confusion 2. "Something Wrong" 3. The Fear of Freedom 4. The Great Machinery and the Myth of Human Mechanics 5. Realities 6. Subjects and Objects Part II: Critical Thinking Is Radical Thinking 7. What Is Critical Thinking? 8. Paradigms 9. Critical Thinking as a Set of Capacities 10. Resilience and Growing-up Experience 11. The Dilemma of Activation 12. The Dilemma of Teaching and the Solution of Facilitation Part III: Lessons in Subject-Activation: Honesty, Patience, and Bravery 13. Living and (Almost) Dying Honestly 14. Patience, Breaking, and Writing 15. Bravery and Working Through Subjectivity in Psychoanalysis Conclusion: Thinking, Happiness, and the Problem with Eckhart Tolle