Faust III: Peter F. Schmid's sidelong glance at psychotherapy

What is it about?

Peter F. Schmid’s sequel to Goethe’s Faust imagines Faust’s ‘inner world’ and his aspiration to become a psychotherapist of the whole of humankind. It is argued that Schmid’s Faust is a literary text that provides a sidelong glance at psychotherapy since it offers a vision of reality that is primarily a dynamic, dialogical and intersubjective process which leads to shifts in shared meanings. First, I discuss the nature of Faust’s transformation in both Goethe’s and Schmid’s versions of Faust. Second, I refer to Schmid’s characterization of Faust’s ‘inner world’ and the challenges he faces in becoming a psychotherapist. Third, I discuss the dialectics of mutual tension, in particular, of affinity and alienation, in the relationship between Faust and Mephistopheles, the devil. Fourth, I compare Goethe’s and Schmid’s concepts of evil and the extent to which they reflect an inherent aspect of the human condition. Finally, I discuss their understanding of the spiritual dimension of Faust’s transformation in which he attempts to transcend his limitations as a human being and engage relationally in a process of becoming.

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Why is it important?

Peter F. Schmid (1950-2020) was an outstanding theorist and interpreter of Carl Rogers 'person-centered psychotherapy. He also interpreted Goethes' Faust from a humanistic/existential perspective that is relevant for contemporary psychotherapy.

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