Psychology and the Other Institute

The "Other"
Eric Fromm bemoaned the divorce of psychology from philosophical and religious traditions and, in many ways, this artificial separation from our historical and conceptual siblings has only increased. The purpose of the Psychology and the Other Institute is to provide venues that enrich conversations at the intersections of philosophy, psychology, and theological/religious studies, particularly emphasizing scholarship around the notion of the “Other.” The term “Other” constitutes a shared space for continental thought, theology, and a variety of psychological discourses. This phenomenon bears significantly on ethical, epistemological, and phenomenological scholarship in each of these fields.

Enriching the discourse
This interdisciplinary Institute is committed to developing conferences, publications, research opportunities, and clinical training experiences that explore the rich discourses that have emerged around the concept of the “Other” in various intellectual traditions, ranging from phenomenological work like that of Emmanuel Levinas to the work of John Zizioulas in theology or that of Jessica Benjamin in psychoanalysis.

A Vibrant Community of Scholars
This institute, housed at Lesley University, is a consortium of individuals, institutes, and universities that are located throughout the world. Psychologists, psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, social workers, philosophers, sociologists, anthropologists, theologians, clergy, and graduate students of all persuasions are invited to participate in the life of this community and its scholarly activities. Its aim is academic inquiry, a reshaping of clinical sensibilities, and a commitment to community service and impact.