A new addition to PEP is The Psychoanalytic Forum. Published between 1966-1975 in both journal and yearbook format, the publication spans 5 volumes and offers a forum based format throughout – List of Contributors, Original Article, Discussion, and Author’s Response. Readers will also find summaries of scientific meetings, and reader’s responses to the various forums included (entitled “The Continuing Forum”). The idea for the journal was to create an “open exchange of ideas and for the broadest range of discussion of all matters pertaining to psychoanalysis—and, therefore, to the challenge of the art of living.”
In the words of, John A. Lindon, the journal’s editor (see Introduction, Vol.3):
“From its inception, The Psychoanalytic Forum has aimed at having open, free discussion of the many ideas in psychoanalysis. To stimulate creative unritualized thinking in all of us, we deliberately strive to obtain the broadest range of discussants, wherever possible selecting experts we know to differ with the author’s thesis—and with each other. Our discussants are informed, ‘You may discuss the essay as a whole or any aspect of it that arouses your interest. You may challenge the author’s methodology, his data, or his conclusions. You may state your agreement with the author, extend the scope of the paper, or focus on relevant material which he has neglected. You are free to say whatever you wish about the paper, but personal attacks should be avoided.’ And we publish what they say even when we personally vehemently disagree.
Wherever possible we seek the opinions of those from other disciplines. In this regard it pleases—and enlightens—us to bring together on our pages such experts from such diverse disciplines as a Nobel Laureate in biology, a novelist, a professor of theology, a sociologist, an internist who is Chief of the Center for Studies of Narcotic and Drug Abuse of the National Institute of Mental Health, and a professor of human communications. We also gather world renowned psychoanalysts and psychiatrists from Europe, Asia, South America, Canada and every corner of the United States to enter into these symposiums.”
Author’s include Arminda Aberastury, Enid Balint, Wifred Bion, Angel Garma, Martin Grotjahn, Herbert A. Rosenfeld, Harold Searles, Melitta Sperling, Donald Winnicott, and many more!
The Psychoanalytic Forum was initially published as a quarterly journal by the Psychiatric Research Foundation. From Vol. 3, the format transitioned to a yearbook, and was published in compendium book format. The journal is presented on PEP as a serial.
Find it on PEP here.