Roberto Assagioli

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Roberto Assagioli (Venice, February 27, 1888 - Capolona d'Arezzo, August 23, 1974) was an Italian psychiatrist who was the founder of the psychological movement known as Psychosynthesis.

An humanist, Assagioli differed from Freud. Assagioli believed that analysis was not a whole process and that Freudian-based analysis is warped, in a sense, because it does not celebrate the complete self, and instead, focuses too closely on aberrance and pathology.

Assagioli was interviewed by Sam Keen for "Psychology Today" in 1974. In the article, Assagioli explains how his theories differ from Freud's:

“We pay far more attention to the higher unconscious and to the development of the transpersonal self. In one of his letters Freud said, “I am interested only in the basement of the human being.” Psychosynthesis is interested in the whole building. We try to build an elevator which will allow a person access to every level of his personality. After all, a building with only a basement is very limited. We want to open up the terrace where you can sunbathe or look at the stars.”

Assagioli had a sense of humor, and his theories are more in line with Jung than Freud. His works advocate for living a more complete life, and his stated goal for therapy is "To live as well as possible, and to look at oneself with a smile."

Contents 1 Selected works 2 References 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Selected works

• Psychosynthesis: A Collection of Basic Writings by Roberto Assagioli ISBN 0-9678570-0-7
• The Act of Will by Roberto Assagioli ISBN 0-670-10309-8
• Transpersonal Development: The Dimension Beyond Psychosynthesis by Roberto Assagioli ISBN 1-85538-291-1

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Psychosynthesis
• Humanistic psychology
• Religion and mythology

[edit] External links

• In Memoriam: Roberto Assagioli Dr. Roberto Assagioli, founder of Psychosynthesis
• Roberto Assagioli - his life and work A biography from Kentaur Institute in Denmark
• A few words about Dr.Assagioli by Piero Ferrucci

• The Will Project was a project proposed by Roberto Assagioli to explore all aspects and manifestations of the Will.