We have been witnessing a growing social division and irreconcilability in our own country, but also worldwide, for years. The conflicts are characterized by coarsening of language, uncompromising attitudes, group egoism and increasing propensity to violence. But we are also witnessing the courage, commitment and solidarity of large parts of society in the defense of democratic values.
The focus of psychotherapy is traditionally on the individual, but current changes are forcing us to also turn our attention to collective psychological contexts. While in the 2023 symposium we addressed the effects of the climate catastrophe on psychological experience, this year we want to look at the dynamics of the psyche in democracy.
Our questions for the symposium are: How can we understand what is currently happening collectively in our societies from a depth psychological and other perspective? What dynamics underlie the feeling of being short-changed, envy, hurt and hatred? Are there approaches to finding a way out? What does it take from all sides to forgive?
To this end, we have chosen an interdisciplinary approach that looks at our topic from a depth psychological, legal, philosophical and theological perspective. After each lecture and in a panel discussion at the end, we want to discuss these approaches with you, provide suggestions and help you to find your way