ABSTRACT
A study of the process of analysis, repair and individuation will almost inevitably focus, as a matter of prime importance, upon a consideration of the quality and function of the analyst’s personality. In history, his forebears are the doctor and the priest, whose actions and personality-functions are defined, for instance, in two classical documents respectively: the Hippocratic Oath and St Paul’s concept of agape. For centuries, this kind of work has been understood to depend upon a certain specificity of personal relationship entered into by the doctor with his patient and the priest with those under his care. That the work is full of possible pitfalls and draws upon profound levels of emotion, being (ontos), and outlook is illustrated by the stringency of requirement and the severity of prohibition imposed by the documents in question. Indeed, any disregard or flouting of them is said to render the work worthless and nugatory, whatever the skill or knowledge involved. Furthermore, the naive public shock aroused by the possible misuse of medical or pastoral power suggests deeply rooted attitudes based upon long-term, and often repeated, experiences of what works best in this field.
