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tijdschriftpersoonsgerichte
experiëntiële
psychotherapie
Process-oriented
Existential
Interactional
Integrative

In search of a new conception of the person in behalf of the client-centered orientation

ARTICLEVan Balen, Richard - 38–3 (2000)

SUMMARY

In the last twenty years, there has been much criticism of Rogers' vision on human nature. An attempt is made to investigate if a reconsideration of a central notion like 'organic wisdom' could make clear that a better interpretation of this notion proves to be able to take into account these critics.
This investigation leads us to the conclusion that the recent works of Gendlin - especially the way he replies to structuralism - permit indeed to give an affirmative answer to this question.
We see thereby coming forward several similarities with the views of Buber and Levinas, as well as with these of Lacan. It leads us to the conclusion that, rather then minimalizing the value of the client-centered contribution to the theoretical body of knowledge about human nature, we do have reason to exert ourselves to deepen and further develop this knowledge.

KEYWORDS

concept of man, philosophy

The tPeP (Journal Person-centered experiential Psychotherapy) is the scientific journal for Dutch and Flemish psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, that work from, or are interested in a client-centered perspective.