The Therapized Antisemite: The Myth of Psychology and the Evasion of Responsibility

by Christopher L. Schilling

Overview

The Therapized Antisemite determines the failure of psychology in the understanding and punishment of antisemitism.

For over a hundred years, psychology’s vision - understanding the mind and conquering feelings with thoughts – has remained a myth in much of Western societies. Despite its theories and concepts being widely criticized and often proven wrong, it remains part of our culture, academia, and legal systems. Instead of hoping for the field of psychology to one day solve the problem of antisemitism and how to punish it, we must ask ourselves how much it has not helped but rather harmed the fight against it. Through exploring social, clinical, and forensic psychology, as well as psychohistory and the intrusion of psychology into criminal law and policymaking, The Therapized Antisemite argues that we don’t yet understand what causes antisemitism in psychological terms, let alone how to go about solving the problem. The Holocaust, the Nuremberg Trials, Hitler Biographies, the Halimi murder, Hate Crime, Mental Illness, False Memory, and Criminal Profiling are all discussed within the book.

The Therapized Antisemite looks to change the way readers think about antisemitism, psychology and law, and will be of interest to legal and social science academics and students researching and practicing within the fields of criminal law, criminology, antisemitism studies, Jewish studies, and psychology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783111353524
Publisher:	De Gruyter
Publication date:	01/29/2024
Series:	De Gruyter Disruptions , #3
Pages:	114
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.06(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Christopher L. Schilling PhD is a lawyer and political scientist. Among his publications are The Japanese Talmud: Antisemitism in East Asia (Hurst) and Zen Judaism: The Case Against a Contemporary American Phenomenon (Palgrave Macmillan). He has taught at diplomatic academies and universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Mexico, and held visiting academic positions in New York, Taipei, Seoul, and Tokyo.　

Table of Contents

Introduction

A Definition of Antisemitism

Chapter 1- Social Psychology

Chapter 2 - Clinical Psychology

Chapter 3 - The Way the World Goes Mad, And A "WEIRD" Understanding of It

Chapter 4 - Psychohistory

Chapter 5 - Forensic Psychology

Chapter 6 - Policymaking

Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

Once in a time, there has to be ‘that book’, which calls the established narratives within a certain field into question. Written in a very lucid, thought-provoking language, and a ‘no-nonsense’ style, it opens up a debate that we were supposed to be having decades ago. Christopher L. Schilling is the kind of author you will feel honored to argue with in this debate.” – Zbyněk Tarant, University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic.

***

“Christopher Schilling has written one of those very valuable ‘the emperor is wearing no clothes’ books. His The Therapized Antisemite aims at the absurd claims made by some psychologists that they have found the roots of antisemitism in the dark recesses of people's minds – recesses they know how to probe and illuminate. The book casts doubt not only on the current efforts at explaining antisemitism, but on psychology going back to its beginning. Skeptics will find much to savor in this book.” – George Leef, Director of External Relations, James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, North Carolina.

***

“Chris Schilling’s study provides important insight into the relationship between implementers of the Shoah and underlying patterns of severe psychological disturbance. This volume is important for those wishing to understand the psychological deformities which enabled the murderers to pursue their grisly task.” – Alan L. Berger, Raddock Family Eminent Scholar Chair in Holocaust Studies; Director, Center for the Study of Values and Violence after Auschwitz, Florida Atlantic University.

From the Publisher