CALENDAR OF EVENTS

A curated listing of international critical psychology conferences and events. Email us at [email protected] if you’d like to suggest an event.

"Alt" Causes of Anxiety


May 4, 2017

Anxiety is a natural part of life but for some, that creeping or explosive worrying, can make the day-to-day a challenge. The medical fraternity sees it as an individual psychological problem best treated with medication or changing thought patterns. Meanwhile, philosophers such as Martin Heidegger have argued it is a sign of caring for something. Others, however, blame social structures: job precarity, economic structures, a bad relationship, social media, the unruly state of world politics, the need to be seen as "successful".

In this unique class, hear a philosopher, a sociologist and a social work lecturer explore anxiety beyond the realm of the medical. What role does the system play in ‘getting us down'? What's with all the ‘thinking positively’? Can worrying maybe be a good thing sometimes? What does Sigmund Freud have to teach us about the condition?

 

The teachers:

DR PETER BANKI is an associate member of the Philosophy Research Initiative at the University of Western Sydney. He publishes and teaches in the fields of trauma studies, queer theory and German Romanticism.  He is also the founder and director of the Sydney Festival of Death and Dying and the Sydney Festival of Really Good Sex.

DR EMMA TSERIS is a Lecturer in Social Work and Policy Studies at the University of Sydney, where her research and teaching work focuses on the socio-political aspects of mental health and illness.  Emma is a contributor to the forthcoming collection, Routledge International Handbook of Critical Mental Health.

MICHAEL PUSEY coined the term "economic rationalism" in the early 90s and was one of the first people to study happiness in Australia. The author of four books, many journal articles and other publications, he is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of New South Wales and Macquarie University.

Hosted by JACKIE DENT, journalist and curator.

Please note: this is a philosophical and sociological discussion on anxiety.  While relevant for anxiety sufferers, if you need professional medical help for anxiety, please contact your local doctor.

DATE: May 4, 2017

 

TIME: Doors open at 6 pm.

Class starts promptly at 6:30 pm

Class ends at 8:00 pm, including time for Q + A.

 

VENUE: The Leela Centre.

2nd Floor, 113-115 Oxford Street, (Corner of Crown Street), Darlinghurst NSW 2010

 

COST: $29/$25(concession)  + booking fee

For low income earners, please contact Clear Spot and we can work out a special rate.

 

For all enquiries: [email protected]

"Alt" Causes of Anxiety

View full calendar