Certainty, Ambiguity, Evasion: What makes it so difficult to talk about certain kinds of difference?
In this talk Dr. Dalal will reflect on why institutions habitually struggle in their well-meaning attempts at grappling with issues having to do with inclusion, diversity and the like. Attempted solutions often lead to impasse and conflict. Efforts are made, yet nothing much changes. What’s going on?
Along with a number of other ideas, he will draw on Simone de Beauvoir’s Ethics of Ambiguity to argue that the ongoing state of disappointment and dissatisfaction (and the difficult conversations and arguments that follow) is preferable to the rigid certainties that are required and imposed by institutional bureaucracies.
This lecture is open to everyone and is especially for those interested in and working on issues of racism, discrimination, marginalisation, equality, diversity and oppression in counselling and within institutions.
This event has been funded by the School of Health in Social Science Equality, Diversity and Inclusion grant.
Biography of the Speaker: Dr. Farhad Dalal
Dr. Farhad Dalal is a psychotherapist and Group Analyst in private practice in Devon. He is a Training Group Analyst and supervisor for the Institute of Group Analysis, London. He is part of the team that is running the group analytic psychotherapy training in India. He has published numerous papers and four books to date: Taking the Group Seriously, Race, Colour and the Processes of Racialization, Thought Paralysis: The Virtues of Discrimination, and CBT - The Cognitive Behavioural Tsunami: Managerialism, Politics and the Corruptions of Science.
Certainty, Ambiguity, Evasion: What makes it so difficult to talk about certain kinds of difference?
Central Campus
University of Edinburgh
(exact location to be confirmed nearer the time after registration)