Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the issue of blame and responsibility: this is a problem which seems to cause considerable misunderstanding. It looks at some of the phantasies which arise, particularly around the stressful times of birth and death, in the family. The way the phantasies of an individual interact with those of the wider world around is touched on. The book discusses some of the difficulties of a theoretical and emotional nature which disturb such observations. The most important and basic idea is that of phantasy. An example of a phantasy is the idea that was popular in the sixties that some people 'had a policeman in their head'. Clearly there was no real policeman in their head, but they were supposed to behave and think as if there were.