Book Review: Human Nature and Suffering

Human Nature and Suffering by P. Gilbert, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (1989) Hove & London.

Although this book has been out for several years it is significant enough to review it at this late stage. There are few books that consider the biological and physiological make-up of human nature in an existential fashion, but this is one of them. Usually books on existential analysis are philosophical and highly theoretical whereas books on biology and psychology tend to be pragmatic and empirical.

Gilbert's book is an attempt at bringing the most up to date scientific data to bear on the existential challenges that face us all. Without being philosophical it is therefore eminently relevant to existential psychotherapists. It brings together a wealth of information about human nature and interprets this information within a consistent framework, closely related to that of ethology. Gilbert draws much on experimental psychology but refers to such authors as Freud, Jung, Fromm, Tillich and Yalom as well. A rare piece of interdisciplinary writing that is well worth investigating.

Gilbert contends that human evolution has led to the acquisition of some basic human competencies which are essentially social and which underpin our personal world at the same time. He recognizes four basic competencies: i.e. Care eliciting, Care giving, Co-operating and Competing. He demonstrates how these competencies are formed and modified and how insufficient development of these competencies leads to difficulties in living, and to suffering. There are specific chapters on many concepts that are relevant to existential therapists and counsellors, such as on the differentiation between sympathy and empathy, on shame, on guilt (including existential guilt), on abuse and more specifically on the therapeutic relationship. It is quite clear that Gilbert comes from a behavioral-cognitive background, but it is also evident how this mode of therapy is increasingly interested in what an existential approach has to offer.

If it is possible for cognitive therapists to open up to existential contributions, it must also be possible for existential therapists to open up to what cognitive approaches have to offer. This book makes such a cross-fertilization much easier and more attractive. I recommend it warmly.

Emmy van Deurzen-Smith