This book explores the concept of certainty, a term which is widely used in everyday language to designate a psychological experience or feeling but is rarely considered controversial or politically charged. The Feeling of Certainty argues that conversely this most ordinary of feelings plays a key role in shaping identity formation, social exclusion, prejudice, and commitment to political causes. The authors question what it means for the subject to feel certainty about her or his relationships to self and others. From where does the feeling of certainty originate, and how does it differ from modes of thought that are open to scepticism about the order of things? They draw on a wide range of theories, including those of Freud, Klein, Lacan, Wittgenstein, Bion, and Jung, challenging readers to consider the world of ideologies, symbols, and stereotypes in which certainty is entrenched, as well as the inter- and intra-psychic processes and defence mechanisms which form the unconscious foundation of the experience of certainty. This collection will offer valuable insight to scholars of psychology, politics, social science and history.

“Our increasingly uncertain times seem to be marked by polarized and often violent antagonisms between competing certainties informing social, religious and political identifications. How can we make sense of this paradox? This challenging volume argues for the importance of a psychosocial perspective in capturing the crucial unconscious complicities linking uncertainty and certainty. It deploys a series of illuminating concepts and theories as well as a truly critical ethos in a bid to rigorously thematize and potentially deactivate this explosive mix. Simultaneously bold in its scope and reflexive in its method, it will certainly reward and inspire!” (Yannis Stavrakakis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)

Focuses on a little researched area - certainty, rather than uncertainty Has implications for research on identity formation, political commitment, racism and prejudice Brings the work of Karl Figlio together in one place Includes a variety of empirical data ranging from clinical case studies to ethnographic and historical evidence

GPSR Compliance The European Union's (EU) General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is a set of rules that requires consumer products to be safe and our obligations to ensure this. If you have any concerns about our products you can contact us on ProductSafety@springernature.com. In case Publisher is established outside the EU, the EU authorized representative is: Springer Nature Customer Service Center GmbH Europaplatz 3 69115 Heidelberg, Germany ProductSafety@springernature.com