Encountering Our Daimonics: Existential dynamics within experiences trauma and humiliation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65828/19cvch57Keywords:
Daimonics, destruction, creation, trauma, humiliationAbstract
In order to understand the turbulence of our times, we must first turn to understand our own daimonics. Existential daimonics refers to our human capacity to bring about both great destruction/devastation and construction/creation in our own lives, the lives of others and the world around us. There is no 'us and them' when it comes to daimonic destructiveness and constructiveness that divides us is ethical and reflexive. Extending and reformulating the work of Rollo May and Stephen Diamond, and drawing on contemporary phenomenological psychotherapy, I suggest that understanding and holding the existential tensions that arise from the dynamic relationship within our personal daimonics can cultivate the ground for hope, understanding and healing.
Complete access to the full archive of articles is available with SEA membership. Existing members: please log in with your membership password to view full text. Non-members can buy a single article or issue by registering an account on this website, then selecting a padlocked full text button to purchase.
References
Baldwin, J. (2017 [1955]). Notes of a Native Son. London: Penguin.
Boaz, M. (forthcoming). Trauma and existence: Existential-humanistic understandings of trauma, with existential-analytic and phenomenological implications for practice. In Wharne, S. Tedeschi, R.G. & Moore, B.A. (eds.) Psychological Growth Following Trauma: Insights from phenomenological research. Oxon: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003493860-21
Boaz, M. (2025). Encountering our daimonics. Annual Conference of the Existential Movement (Into the Wild Woods: Existential Responses to Turbulent Times). February. London: Existential Movement.
Boaz, M. (2022a). An Existential Approach to Interpersonal Trauma: Modes of existing and confrontations with reality. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003181675
Boaz, M. (2022b). Interpersonal trauma and the ethics of (re)(dis)covery. 4th European Conference for Existential Therapy. May. London: Federation for Existential Therapy in Europe.
Boaz, M (2022c). Specialisation from an existential perspective: The value of liminality and existing-between-worlds. Existential Analysis: The Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis. 33.1: 28-41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.65828/przjtp68
Bush [Boaz], M. (2020). Paradox, polarity and the pandemic: Making sense of the existential impacts of COVID-19 on people's lives.' Existential Analysis: The Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis. 31.2: 225-236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.65828/82jasb36
Diamond, S. (1996). Anger, Madness and the Daimonic: The psychological genesis of violence, evil and creativity. Albany: SUNY Press.
Deurzen, E. van (2015). Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy. 2nd ed. Sussex: Wiley & Sons.
Fuchs, T. & Koch, S.C. (2014). Embodied affectivity: on moving and being moved. Frontiers in Psychology. 5 (408). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00508
Längle, A. (2007). Trauma und existenz. Psychotherapie Forum. 15: 109-116. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00729-007-0200-7
Levinas, E. (1978 [1947]). Time and the Other (and additional essays). Trans. Cohen, R.A. Pittsburgh: Duquesne University Press.
May, R. (2007 [1969]). Love and Will. London: W.W. Norton & Co.
May, R. (1972). Power and innocence. New York: W.W. Norton. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7560/732773
Merleau-Ponty, M. (1968 [1964]). The Visible and the Invisible. Lefort, C. (ed.) Trans. Lingis, A. Evanston, IL : Northwestern University Press.
Smith, C.P. & Freyd, J.J. (2014). Institutional betrayal. American Psychologist. 69: 575-587. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037564
Stolorow, R.D. (2007). Trauma and Human Existence: Autobiographical, psychoanalytic and philosophical reflections. Oxon: Analytic Press.
Tanaka, S. (2013). The notion of intercorporeality and its psychology. Bulletin of Liberal Arts Education Center, Tokai University. 33: 101-109.
Turner, D. (2024). The Psychology of Supremacy: Imperium. Oxon: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003313229


