EP00 Dialogue 05 - Dealing with Social Violence - Alexander Lowen, MD, and Cloe Madanes, Lic. Psychol.

Description:

Educational Objectives:

1. Given a topic, to become aware of the differing approaches to psychotherapy, and to identify the strengths and weaknesses in each approach.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*

Outline:

• Session Introduction

  • Christine Padesky opens the session on social violence with Dr. Alexander Lowen and Cloe Madanes.

• Dr. Lowen on Violence

  • Violence is a universal human experience and often a response to restriction.

  • Compares violent outbursts to releasing built-up energy, like a firecracker.

  • Restraint (e.g., in prisons) fuels violence; advocates for less structured environments like “free schools.”

• Critique of Modern Culture

  • Lowen condemns noise, stress, and hyperactivity in modern life.

  • Believes today’s culture is “anti-life” and increases the risk of violence.

  • Suggests quieter, simpler living as a solution—even removing skyscrapers.

• Cloe Madanes on Violence Prevention

  • Focuses on secondary prevention, especially with juvenile sex offenders—claims 96% success rate.

  • Advocates for addressing spiritual pain, and using public accountability and reparation.

  • Acknowledges difficulty accessing opportunities for primary prevention.

• Love-Violence Confusion

  • Madanes links violence to confusion with love, especially in early childhood abuse.

  • Suggests expanding one’s sense of community to prevent isolation and violence.

  • Uses Tibetan meditation to teach empathy in treatment.

• Therapist Perspectives

  • Padesky notes few therapists believe violence can be eradicated this century.

  • Lowen is pessimistic about change due to rising violence and societal power structures.

  • Madanes urges hope and belief in solvability, even in complex cases.

• Power and Moral Development

  • Lowen argues violence is driven by misuse of power, especially in families.

  • Madanes proposes a moral development model: giving love, protection, and gratitude.

  • Therapists should help clients grow through these moral stages.

• Community-Based Interventions

  • School program example: kids brainstorm solutions for bullying—often tougher than adults would suggest.

  • Madanes supports community involvement; Lowen defends physical expression of anger (within limits).

  • Madanes warns it can be risky with violent individuals—may reinforce harmful behavior.

• Institutional Violence and Social Justice

  • A researcher highlights systemic violence and the need for racial/social justice.

  • Lowen says modern society alienates individuals from families and communities.

  • Participants stress need for reparations and traditional justice practices (e.g., from Jewish law).

• Closing Reflections

  • Discussion emphasizes the need to balance individual therapy with systemic change.

  • Power abuse and control are core issues in violence.

  • Madanes and Lowen close with differing perspectives—hopeful vs. skeptical—urging continued dialogue and action.