Clausewitz Here and Now: Military Obedience and Gestalt Theory

By Bruce Barrett, M.A.

(Army photographs from ArmyLink)


Bruce Edward Barrett, M.A., received his Master's degree in clinical psychology at the University of South Dakota in 1973. He completed the Intensive Training Program at the Boston Gestalt Institute in 1975, under Michael Vincent Miller and Rich Borofsky.

Barrett is currently re-establishing his activity in Gestalt Theory, with a particular interest in writing and working in the development of endeavors other than the clinical application of Gestalt Theoretical principles, including performance, personal growth, and inter-disciplinary studies.

He works from his home, Cloverset, in Duxbury, Massachussets, USA. He is currently serving, with Judi, his wife of 21 years, as the full-time, at-home Joint Commander of a fiercely autonomous army of nine children.


Introduction

Gestalt Theoretical Psychology, including Gestalt Therapy, offers a variety of conceptual and practical insights into non-clinical life challenges and their solutions. Like other systems of psychology and personality theory, many of the applications and insights in Gestalt Theory remain pathology oriented. Unlike other treatment systems, Gestalt Therapy (as presented by Perls, Hefferline, and Goodman, for example) was also intended as a blueprint for understanding and expanding health and freedom of action in any sphere, not merely mapping and ameliorating behavioral suffering or abuse. By exploring the individual's total functioning in context, the Gestalt perspective offers a system capable of transcending mere problem resolution and for achieving prowess and joy in the art of life, with all of its many manifestations. In keeping with this outlook, I will use the phrase "Gestalt Theory" in many places where "Gestalt Therapy" has been the traditional (and sharply limiting) construct.

Gestalt Theory provides a fruitful reasoning framework for any field of human endeavor. This includes activities that are startling to the assumed values, ethical stance, and social philosophy of its practitioners. Classical problems in the art of war and military history, practical problems in battlefield operations, and the identification and understanding of successful soldiering all can benefit from the holistic Gestalt theoretical perspective.

Part Two - The Holistic Army: The War Against Rigid Linear Thinking | Part Three - Total War -- Total Relief | Part Four - Empty Chair, Empty Battlefield

Gestalt! (ISSN 1091-1766)
a chronicle of the developing application of Gestalt principles, Vol.1, No.2, 1997
Published by Gestalt Global Corporation.
Last updated 11/14/03
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