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I have often wondered why doctors and other medical professionals are not the most vocal environmentalists in the world. They know firsthand what disease does to a life, how much suffering is involved, and how tragically children are left without parents and marriages end in death. They know that many of our illnesses are due to toxins in our water and air and foods. They know that human health depends on the health of the planet.
I also wonder why psychologists are not more vocal about bloody conflicts around the world, such as the current wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Gaza. Not only is the suffering more than you can bear to consider, but the madness of it all is obvious. Emotional complexes burst out in violence, brutal histories play themselves out, acting-out is a way of life and a political philosophy.
What is desperately needed is a therapy of world politics--a depth point of view and a healing approach. It isn't easy to imagine how to accomplish or even practice this kind of therapy, but we must find a way. One method that I have advocated for years is to encourage psychotherapists, who know so much about the state of the psyche through their regular work, to go public. They could write, go on radio and television shows, create Cds and blogs, and give talks that support a thoughtful psychology of world affairs.
Another way would be for those with a talent for writing to reflect on world events with a psychological eye, especially with the aim of gaining insight into violence and intercultural conflict. In the absence of deep insight, almost any penetration of the literal would help.
One of our problems is that we are so numb to violence that we assume it is the natural way to deal with international conflicts. A first step toward sanity might be to imagine alternative strategies. I am aware that many groups of professionals are already working hard at such strategies, but if a fresh imagination were to come from the realm of psychology, it might have special effect.
Here are some questions I would ask in such a group:
How is it that we can tolerate such extreme suffering of children and families caught on the battlefields of our cities and towns?
Are there ways to help world leaders be more sophisticated about peaceful conflict resolution?
What are the fundamental psychological issues that give rise to war and terrorism?
Could we imagine an effective movement toward creating a less violent international scene?
Do we have any effective models for deal with historical and cultural antagonisms?
Can we imagine ways to present religion so that it doesn't incite and justify violence?
Is there a connection between violence in the home, on the street, and between nations?
I have heard the reasoning "Make war on behalf of peace" all my life. It's an insane idea that perpetuates violence. It's an Orwellian piece of logic and language. Can we at least bury this one destructive piece of pseudo-logic once and for all?
Psychology often blames suffering on stress. Can we imagine, specifically and concretely, a less stressful world? Can we take action to lower the levels of anxiety and stress that issue in violence? Can we offer positive tactics for prevent violence at all levels of society?
Unless psychology engages these difficult questions of the real world, it is left with what Sandor Fereczi might label "masturbatory activities." We take pleasure in playing idly with our own toys and our own body of interests. It's time to break through the shell and take on the world with the insights of our profession.
