ABSTRACT
This paper examines Bion's use of Platonic and Kantian sources. It seems that many philosophers tend to misinterpret and dismiss Bion's innovative linking between Plato's idea of “Form” and Kant's “thing-in-itself,” regarding it as philosophical ignorance. Whereas many psychoanalysts tend to overlook the distinction between these philosophical concepts, accepting Bion's seemingly interchangeable use of these concepts.
I will demonstrate how the use of philosophical understandings, and most prominently of Kant's philosophical revolution, contributed to Bion's delicate and unwitting theoretical moves over the years. These moves seem to lead Bion to what seems like “rounding” of his Grid, which is similar to Plato's “Divided Line.” He thus returns to Plato's cave and elucidates the concept of “O” and the use of “intuition” alongside the analyst's use concepts and the strive for knowledge.
Reading Bion, one is reminded of Wittgenstein's philosophical movements in the sphere of language theory. Indeed, both are profoundly influenced by Kant. Wittgenstein's elaboration facilitates in apprehending Bion's ideas.
